Continuously advancing improved onshore living facilities for foreign crew members, from the aspects of, both, software and hardware(Fisheries Agency,Ministry of Agriculture)

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Continuously advancing improved onshore living facilities for foreign crew members, from the aspects of, both, software and hardware

Update: 2022-07-20

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　　To enhance the rights and interests of foreign crew members, the Executive Yuan has promoted the "Action Plan for Fisheries and Human Rights", with "reinforcement of living conditions and social security" as one of its key strategies. Among them, the Fisheries Agency has been actively strengthening the installation of hardware facilities, such as washing and rest facilities in fishing ports to provide foreign crew members with space for showering, resting and praying; this is further complemented by software information, the multilingual foreign crew interactive service platform website provides a map of living facilities around the fishing port, information on fishing vessels, information on rights and interests, and a channel for grievance procedures, so that foreign crew members can work in Taiwan with greater peace of mind.

Friendly Foreign Crew Facilities

　　The Fisheries Agency explained that space on fishing vessels is limited and to improve the life of foreign crew members onshore after returning to port while creating a harmonious and friendly working environment, it has been planning to set up foreign crew-friendly facilities since 2020. Currently, 29 such washrooms have been set up nationwide. In the second half of this year (2022), 3 more washroom facilities are expected to be set up to provide hot showers for foreign crew members to freshen up and relieve their weary bodies and minds. In addition, the foreign crew members employed by Taiwanese fishing vessels come mainly from Indonesia and most of them are of the Islamic faith. To respect their Muslim worship needs, 14 prayer rooms and resting facilities have been set up for foreign crew members to perform religious rituals and rest, so that they can be comforted mentally and spiritually.

Building an information service platform

　　In this digital age “where everyone owns a mobile”, foreign crew members rely on their mobile phones to communicate with their families and the outside world. In response to the digital trend, the Fisheries Agency has launched the first-ever "Foreign Crew Members Interactive Service Platform", which provides foreign crew members with a life map of the fishing port in five languages, including Chinese, English, Indonesian, Filipino and Vietnamese. By accessing the service platform through their mobile phones, crew members can quickly get to know the neighboring environment of the fishing port. The service provides an overview of the fishing port's surroundings, including shops, outlets, clinics, washrooms, and rest places, enabling foreign crew members to integrate into local life as soon as possible. In addition, the platform also provides information on fishing vessels, information on rights and interests, and channels for grievance procedures, so that foreign crew can work in Taiwan with greater peace of mind through transparent information and channels.

　　Finally, the Fisheries Agency expressed that the issue of the living environment for foreign crew members has attracted much attention from the public. In the future, the Agency will strive to improve the onshore hardware living facilities in fishing ports, and actively promote and enhance the content of the service platform, so that foreign crew members can obtain relevant information on their living conditions. The Agency will also continue to work with local governments, local fishermen associations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to protect the rights and interests of these foreign crew members.

　　　　Contact Point: Wang Cheng-fan, deputy director-general

　　　　E-mail: chengfan@ms1.fa.gov.tw

Foreign Crew Members Interactive Service Platform：

https://www.happyfisherman.tw