Dear brothers:
Today, we conducted an online interview with the journalist. This marks our third media interview in 2023. I am thrilled that our relentless efforts over the past few years have successfully brought attention to the labor rights issues faced by Taiwanese seafarers. During the interview, we discussed various topics, including applicable laws, working conditions, contract nature, compensation, and occupational injuries. Our efforts, such as the seminar in March and the press conference in June, have drawn more and more media attention. In fact, today's interview was initiated by the journalist who was also present at last month's press conference at the Legislative Yuan.
The main focus of today's interview was the occupational injuries experienced by seafarers and the practical management issues in shipping companies. To illustrate this, I shared my personal experience. As a graduate of a maritime college with a certificate, I was unable to secure a paid apprenticeship with a shipping company. Instead, I joined a ship as a deck trainee, receiving lower pay while performing the duties of an experienced seaman. Working on a ship is like working with two hands full without any support or assistance. Without adequate pre-service training and handovers, we encountered numerous dangerous situations in the confined and high-risk environment of the vessel. However, the management sitting in their office regarded this as merely a procedural requirement to fulfill training criteria. Consequently, not every qualified intern can pursue a career at sea and earn one million NT dollars a year. It is common for shipping companies to prioritize cost reduction while disregarding the inhumane working conditions on board. Whether it is working at heights, operating in confined spaces under extreme heat, or undertaking high-pressure jobs to pass required inspections, any of these conditions can easily claim the life of a young seafarer.
During the interview, I noticed that the journalist had done her homework and gathered information on seafarer issues. However, she acknowledged that the actual working conditions on a ship remain beyond her comprehension. What transpires aboard vessels is far greater than what the public is aware of. Many past occupational accidents have remained undisclosed, concealed in darkness. Why? Firstly, working in a closed environment at sea allows for the easy destruction of evidence. Secondly, under the flag of convenience, many accidents either go unreported or fail to reach the authorities. This is why we urge the relevant authorities to promptly conduct comprehensive labor inspections on merchant vessels.
While assisting seafarers in resolving occupational injury disputes, I have observed that many brothers are too simple and lack knowledge of how to protect their rights. In numerous cases, the absence of sufficient evidence weakens our claims, while the experienced carriers manipulate the evidence in their favor. Insufficient evidence is a common hurdle faced in the current stage of legal proceedings. The Union puts substantial effort into promoting the importance of audio or video recordings and maintaining records of working hours to safeguard our rights in the event of an accident.
Despite the collaboration between the seafarers' union and the ITF to establish a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) safeguarding the labor rights and interests of seafarers with shipping companies, most seafarers are unaware of the agreement's contents. Consequently, when faced with an actual occupational accident, crew members often find themselves at a disadvantage and compelled to accept lower settlement amounts. The competent authorities seldom take the initiative to intervene, leaving crew members and their families unable to grasp the complete truth of the situation. Seafarer occupational accidents continue to occur repeatedly, while shipping companies remain bureaucratic, negative, and indifferent. Their sole concern is how to minimize compensation payouts. Family members of seafarers possess little knowledge about working conditions on board, let alone the ability to contend with the management's professional legal team in pursuit of justice. Therefore, Taiwanese merchant marine crews need to unite and establish labor unions more than any shore-based enterprises, to ensure comprehensive protection and uphold their dignity.
Unfortunately, the Seafarer Act in Taiwan and other related labor laws and regulations have not been effectively enforced. The Seafarer Act explicitly guarantees crew members' entitlement to paid vacations, non-fixed overtime pay, and trainees' rights to shore wages and labor and health insurance. However, none of these rights are realized in practice. The Maritime Port Bureau has devised fixed-term contract templates that undermine our right to work. The Bureau of Labor merely reviews written reports issued by companies instead of conducting occupational safety inspections on board. Judges lack familiarity with working conditions at sea and often rely solely on legal precedents. Concerning maritime policy, shipping companies are permitted to utilize convenience flags and employ foreign crews, yet no administrative department has taken the initiative to demand these companies assume social responsibility. When confronted by the Union or faced with trade union doubts, government officials either pass the blame or demonstrate their inability to take control.
Taiwanese seafarers are confronting so many challenges. Each media interview only scratches the surface of the iceberg. The Union will persist in advocating for Taiwanese seafarers, revealing how they are exploited to the public. Concurrently, I encourage all my brothers to recognize the unfriendly working environment we currently face. Apart from the China Steel Express Union, no one has spoken up for seafarers for decades. I anticipate more marine crew members will establish new unions and work together hand in hand to create a dignified labor environment.
