Migrant Fisher Rights: Key Issues
II. Wi-Fi and CCTV
Father Ansensius Guntur, from Flores, Indonesia, has lived in Taiwan
for over four years, though his commitment to humanitarian aid began
much earlier. While pursuing his studies in Rome, he volunteered for two
years at the Stella Maris Center in Civitavecchia, a global nonprofit
organization supporting migrant workers and seafarers. His humanitarian
endeavors have since led him across Asia, including visits to Taiwanese
ports such as Penghu, Xiaoliuqiu, Yanchengpu, and Cijin. He observed that
many migrant fishers originate from the mountainous areas of Indonesia or
the Philippines. Often, these individuals cannot swim and are uninformed
about their rights. This is most likely due to their limited educational
backgrounds, which typically do not extend beyond elementary or junior
high school. These fishers endure the challenge of life at sea, largely driven
by the urgent need to support their families.
In response to these challenges, Stella Maris fosters initiatives to raise
awareness of pertinent regulations, empowering fishers to advocate for
their rights. Father Guntur has also engaged in fishing vessel inspections—
often boarding them alone—where he often finds expired medical supplies
and corroded syringes. The Executive Yuan’s Action Plan aims to provide
medical insurance for coverage of up to NT$300,000; however, many ill
fishers remain unaware and continue to incur out-of-pocket expenses for
their return flights home. Thanks to Father Guntur and his team's efforts,
many fishermen can now get legally covered medical assistance instead of
making these costly trips. Father Guntur humbly downplays his role as
merely spending time with the fishers. He frequently listens to their stories
about life at sea, which include accounts of extended working hours,
inadequate living conditions, unpaid wages, and other distressing
experiences.
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