Washington D.C., U.S.A.-based advocacy organization Global Labor Justice (GLJ) recently launched a campaign called “Freedom For Fishers” targeting an unnamed U.S. seafood brand with multiple documented allegations of labor violations.
GLJ has been working with Forum Silaturahmi Pelaut Indonesia – Pingtung Migrant Fishers Union (FOSPI-PMFU) for the past three years on the campaign to collect evidence of the alleged labor violations the two organizations say involve fishers working for the U.S. seafood company’s supply chain.
The campaign’s launch will take place via Zoom video call on 17 September with translations available in English, Bahasa Indonesia, and Mandarin. On the call, GLJ said the two organizations will reveal the U.S. seafood brand in question as well as hear testimonies from fishers and union leaders.
GLJ added that voluntary policies, audits, certifications, and supplier requirements have not been effective in mitigating labor rights violations.
Indonesian migrant fishers launched the “Freedom for Fishers Campaign” 17 August at the Donggang Fishing Harbor in Pingtung County seeking a binding agreement with the unnamed company. The two labor unions are making 5 core demands to the U.S.-based seafood brand and identifying how a binding agreement would remedy the violations and protect fishers’ rights. According to local newspaper Taipei Times, the five demands are guaranteed Wi-Fi access on all fishing vessels; right to organize and join unions without intimidation nor retaliation; access to transparent, fair, and safe grievance processes; a healthy and safe workplace; and reasonable wages and fair employment contracts.
Additionally at the Taiwan launch event, FOPSI-PMFU Secretary-General Achmad Mudzakir said in a speech that the Donggang harbor vessels’ infrastructure is insufficient, with only two bathrooms holding 10 toilets total on shore for the 4,500 fishers.
