Distant Water Fishing Vessel Detained in Mauritius: Fisheries Agency Promises Severe Penalties for Wage Arrears and Refers Case for Criminal Prosecution
- Update
- 2024-11-28
- hit
- 4714
The press conference, held by civil society organizations on October 30, 2024, reported that three Indonesian fishers on a distant-water fishing vessel were owed wages and had been detained in Mauritius. The Taiwan Fisheries Agency (TFA) stated that this case was reported by the R.O.C. (Taiwan) fisheries officer in Mauritius on July 3, 2023, and, after investigation by TFA, it was found that 11 fishers were owed wages. In addition to the penalty imposed on the vessel owner, the case has been transferred to the Pingtung District Prosecutor's Office in Taiwan for investigation on potential violations of the Human Trafficking Prevention Act. The TFA has assisted eight fishers in settling their wages and returning to Indonesia. Meanwhile, the remaining three fishers will continue to receive ongoing support from the TFA, including efforts to seek solutions and provide humanitarian care, to safeguard their rights.
TFA reiterated its unwavering stance on protecting crew members' rights and its zero-tolerance policy for vessel owners who owe wages to their crew. In addition to imposing a fine of NT$250,000 on the vessel owner and suspending the fishing license for two months, TFA coordinated with the vessel operator and recruitment agents in October 2023 to settle the fishers' wages. However, three fishers remain on board as required by the Port of Mauritius to look after the fishing vessel. TFA continues to communicate through its officer in Mauritius and has requested the Indonesian government to assist the fishers in returning to Indonesia through diplomatic channels. Currently, the daily necessities of the three fishers are provided by the local agent, and TFA's local officer and labor rights inspectors regularly visit and provide additional supplies and humanitarian care.
In addition, the vessel has been seized by a court in Mauritius due to civil debts. TFA will continue to monitor the situation closely and will keep on communicating through different channels to help the fishers return to the country and collect their wages. TFA reiterated that any unlawful infringement of the rights and interests of fishers will be punished according to the law and transferred to judicial investigation, with the aim to protect fishers' rights.
Contact person: Xue Poyuan
Email: poyuan0720@ms1.fa.gov.tw