TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Control Yuan Member (監察委員) Chi Hui-jung (紀惠容) criticized the Ministry of Labor (MOL, 勞動部) and the New Taipei City Government on Thursday (Sept. 5) for failing to protect the rights of foreign fishermen forced to take unpaid leave during fishing off-season.
Chi revealed that after Taiwan's squid fishing season ended in September 2023, employers and brokers forced 64 foreign fishermen to take unpaid leave. Brokers relocated these fishermen to Sanchong (三重) and Yehliu (野柳), where they faced poor living conditions, had to cover their own cost of living, and had their passports or residence permits held by brokers.
Chi emphasized that foreign fishermen's labor conditions fall under the "Labor Standards Act" (勞動基準法). Therefore, employers must pay full wages during the off-season or when instructed not to fish. If forced to stop working, fishermen should receive severance pay, and employers must continue to provide care and management while fishermen await new employment.
Chi noted that the MOL and the New Taipei City Government have long needed to recognize the issues during the fishing off-season and to provide timely assistance, severely impacted workers' rights and tarnished Taiwan's human rights reputation, leading to the Control Yuan's correction of these agencies.
