Happy New Year to all our brothers in 2024!

The second session of the union's member representative assembly for the second term concluded successfully in the new year, setting a positive tone for the union's development and agenda promotion in the upcoming months. As we move forward, our aspiration is that every seafarer will enjoy the benefits of ample retirement pension contributions and secure indefinite employment contracts in the year ahead.

Our heartfelt appreciation goes to Chairman Zhang Xuzhong of the Kaohsiung Independent Federation of Union and Director General of the Kaohsiung Labor Bureau for guiding the session. With thirty years of valuable experience in labor movements, Chairman Zhang shared profound insights, highlighting the genuine need for unions to embrace true globalization. He cautioned against the superficial approach of some unions, who merely claim internationalization while participating in socializing trips without substantive engagement.

Chairman Zhang also acknowledged the continuous efforts of our union in maintaining international contacts and developing networks within the international labor movement. Given the frequent mobility of seafaring jobs, he highlighted the importance of international exchanges. Additionally, he emphasized the need for caution in union management, particularly in financial matters. Chairman Zhang commended the meticulous accounting practices of our union.

Thanks to the meticulous and transparent accounting practices, all financial aspects were smooth sailing during this assembly, receiving unanimous approval from all representatives. The deliberation on union membership fees concluded with a decision to maintain the existing rates after careful consideration and voting by representatives (Raise: 2 votes, Maintain: 11 votes, Lower: 1 vote).

Union President Carlos Wang called on all representatives to collectively promote and explain the union's efforts to newer seafarers, emphasizing understanding and support rather than seeking favors or boasting about achievements. He highlighted the significance of concerted effort, citing past discrimination against seafarers by the company's management before the union's establishment. Currently, Taiwanese merchant marine seafarers are at a crucial crossroads, facing the transition to indefinite contracts while dealing with shipping companies' attempts to replace them with foreign counterparts through international crewing agencies. Carlos rallied everyone, characterizing the situation as a decisive battle for the fate of seafarers, stressing unity, and urging every seafarer to support the cause in the imminent battle where the union will lead the charge against injustice.

In the evening, everyone convened for the union's year-end banquet, a gathering that included not only all union members but also our steadfast allies. Among the distinguished attendees were Chairman Zhang Xuzhong, President Jiang Mingxiu of National Chengchi University, Director Liu Meijun, Deputy Minister Wang Anbang, Secretary-General Du Guangyu of the Airport United Association, as well as lawyers Shao Yunliang and Liu Yantian, and Professor Gao Huijuan. Notably, this year, we took a different approach by not arranging guest speeches, as we view every member as a brother. Instead, the focus was on enjoying a warm dinner together to acknowledge and reward everyone for their hard work throughout the year.