In order to improve the rights and interests of foreign seafarers and workplace safety at work, and also to guide ocean fishing boats to be equipped with inflatable lifejackets, the Fisheries Department of the Council of Agriculture started subsidizing the purchase of inflatable lifejackets last year, and has approved more than 6,000 pieces of subsidies.

(file photo)

[Reporter Yang Yuanting/Taipei Report] In order to improve the rights and interests of foreign seafarers and workplace safety at work, and also to guide ocean-going fishing boats to be equipped with inflatable life jackets, the Fisheries Department of the Council of Agriculture started subsidizing the purchase of inflatable life jackets last year, and has approved more than 6,000 pieces of subsidies. The department said that applications will continue to be open this year, and each lifejacket can be subsidized up to 2,000 yuan.

In order to improve the protection of the rights and interests of foreign seafarers, the Executive Yuan approved the "Fishery and Human Rights Action Plan" on May 20 last year. In addition to salary adjustments, foreign seafarers also protect the seafarers' right to communicate at sea. Seafarers can use Wi-Fi to communicate with relatives and friends during rest periods at sea. Contact, the Council of Agriculture has also provided related equipment and communication fee subsidies since last year. The Fisheries Department stated that the maximum subsidy for equipment fees is 300,000 yuan per boat, and the maximum subsidy for communication fees is 8,000 yuan per boat per month for a maximum of 12 months; Ocean-going fishing boats are equipped with a video system, and subsidy is 130,000 yuan or 150,000 yuan depending on the type of ship. It is also planned to require ocean-going fishing boats to install video recording systems in stages to protect the rights and interests of crew members and operators. In case of disputes, the truth can be clarified immediately.

The Fisheries Department further stated that due to the slippery deck, the placement of ropes and fishing gear on fishing boats, as well as the erratic walruses, the crew faces a high risk of falling into the sea. According to foreign data, wearing life jackets can greatly increase the chances of the crew falling into the sea and being rescued. In addition, compared with the traditional heavy foam life jacket, the inflatable life jacket can take into account the safety and convenience of operation. Therefore, the Council of Agriculture revised the regulations on May 20 last year to require ocean-going fishing boats to be equipped with inflatable life jackets. You should wear inflatable life jackets. In order to guide ocean-going fishing boats to equip inflatable life jackets in accordance with the regulations, since last year, the subsidy industry has been subsidized for the purchase of inflatable life jackets, and more than 6,000 pieces of inflatable life jackets have been approved. This year, the subsidy will continue. Those qualified for the subsidy can apply through their associations , associations or district fishing associations to apply.

International fisheries organizations and international trade are moving towards taking human rights issues into consideration in the future. The Council of Agriculture stated that it will assist and guide the industry to adjust and transform. It is hoped that the industry will work together to improve and protect the rights and interests of crew members. In addition, for fishing boats that cannot be adjusted, it will also reduce the number of boats plan, the counselor exits.