︱Road to Migrant Fishers’ Rights
enforcement. The most serious of the cases investigated by the Control Yuan
involved fishermen being deliberately reported as missing by the broker.
The absconsion rate for foreign fishermen was higher than migrant workers
in the general industry and was concentrated in a small number of brokers.
These fishermen became the victim of double-exploitation and wage
deductions by brokers in two countries.
The advance payment of wages by brokers is particularly problematic.
Brokers in two countries may charge fees, pre-deduct wages, or collect fines
under a variety of pretenses that result in fishermen not receiving their
full wages. Multiple transfers may also lead to high processing fees and
international wire transfer losses, all of which may ultimately be borne by
the fishermen. Inter-ministerial or even international cooperation should
be launched to resolve the problem with international wire transfers and
exchange rates. Remove brokers from the loop and allow for wages to be
transferred directly will ensure that foreign fishermen and their families
receive the wages they are entitled to.
The Ministr y of Labor (MOL) has more experience with the
management and evaluation of international labor brokers but there is still
room for improvement in its implementation. Marks are now deducted
for the number of missing fishermen in the FA’s evaluations. The FA is also
planning to align its brokerage management model with that of the MOL
in the future. For example, local brokers that handle overseas employment
of fishermen will be required to obtain a permit from the MOL. Taiwanese
brokers that recruit fishermen for FOCs will be regulated in the future
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