A Filipino fisherman in Taiwan sought help for the alleged mistreatment by the captain of their ship.
In 2019, alias Jack worked as a fisherman in Taiwan. He and his companions were treated well while in the port of Kaoshiung. But when they entered the international waters, it is said that their captain’s management changed.
“Doon na kami nakaranas ng pananakit ng kapitan at bosun namin..sobrang hirap namin doon, kulang sa tulog tapos kulang sa pagkain. ‘Pag nagkakasakit kami hindi kami binibigyan ng pahinga…mas importante pa ‘yung isda kaysa taong maysakit,” said “Jack.”
While the ship was sailing in Taiwan in April 2020, “Jack” fell ill. As a result, he was separated from the rest of the crew. But he was more concerned about the allegedly inhumane treatment.
“…nagpaalam ako doon sa agent namin na uwi na ako. Dinala ako sa may accommodation nila at sabi nila tinakot nila ako, ‘wag daw ako magsumbong sa shelter o kahit anong ahensya ng gobyerno dito. At kung magsusumbong daw ako ay tatawag daw sila ng pulis at ire-report daw ako para hulihin ako,” he said.
He was again subjected to 14-day isolation as he disembarked. But he said he felt worse and had difficulty breathing. So he sought help from Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor.
Abused Pinoy fisherman in Taiwan calls for justice
“…ang ginawa ko lang…ang flashlight ng cellphone ko doon lang nila ako nalaman na andoon ako sa loob. Kasi ‘yung accommodation na pinagdalhan sa akin talagang kulong ako. ‘Di ako makalabas kasi ang lock niya nasa labas,” said “Jack.”
But he was also returned to the ship after being examined. Three days later, the ship let him down because it was about to sail again. He thought that the Philippines would bring him back. But the agent met him with the Immigration police for allegedly being an illegal worker. There, he narrated the alleged abuses against them on the ship and the death of their Indonesian comrade due to the alleged abuse.
The leadership of the Department of Policies on Migrant Workers of the Serve the People Association of Taoyuan regretted this.
“This is not right, we know the government can do better. Both governments, so we’re talking about the Filipinos, we hope that both the Philippine and Taiwan governments can really do better. So change the system to make it better. To make it a more humane condition for all the migrant fishermen. Actually, I can say that without the migrant fishermen we don’t have the fishing industry in Taiwan at all,” said Lennon Wong, Director of Department of Policies on Migrant Workers of Serve the People Association of Taoyuan.
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