Fisheries Agency,Ministry of Agriculture

　　Regarding the case of three Indonesian fishers of a Taiwanese distant water fishing vessel who were detained in Mauritius and owed wages by the vessel operator, the Taiwan Fisheries Agency (TFA) coordinated through multiple channels with the vessel operator, recruitment agents, local port agents, as well as Mauritian and Indonesia governments. This successfully assisted the three fishers in returning to Indonesia on November 20^th 2024 according to their wishes. In addition, their wages were paid on November 22^nd and November 25^th, 2024.

　　The TFA indicated that, concerning the vessel operator's wage arrears before October 2023, a penalty of NT$250,000 was imposed on the vessel operator, and the operator’s fishing license was suspended for two months. However, because the vessel operator failed to pay the monetary sanction within the required period, the case has been in the process of administrative execution.

　　In this case, the Mauritian government required that in-port vessels have at least three crew members remain on board to take care of the vessel. However, the owner was unable to arrange for replacement crew members. After coordination, the Mauritian government agreed to allow a local agent to arrange for additional personnel to take care of the vessel, enabling the three fishers to return to Indonesia. Moreover, the delayed wages of the three fishers were advanced by Taiwanese agents on behalf of the owner.

　　The TFA emphasized that the vessel operator ignored the rights and benefits of the fishers, and the government will not grant any leniency. Violations of administrative regulations will be subject to stringent penalties after deliberation based on evidence. Additionally, the violations involving human trafficking prevention laws have already been referred to judicial authorities and will continue to be investigated.

　　　　Contact person: Xue Poyuan

　　　　Email: poyuan0720@ms1.fa.gov.tw

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