Groups donate winter clothes to Taiwan’s migrant fishermen

A coalition of Taiwanese and foreign government agencies and non-profit groups on Friday donated new clothing to and organized a feast for migrant fishermen in New Taipei to help them stay warm during the winter, but many still face unfair working conditions and violations of their labor rights.

Close to 50 coastal-based migrant fishermen from Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines were given new winter jackets, wool beanies, socks, blankets, and face masks, while around 40 other migrants, who couldn’t attend the event because they had to work, had their gifts collected by friends.

Hendrikus Arianto Ukat, an Indonesian priest from Saint Christopher’s Church and part of Stella Maris, the largest ship-visiting network in the world, told CNA the event at Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf was unique as it was organized with the united efforts of the Catholic Church, Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation, Taiwan’s Fisheries Agency and the Indonesian Economic Trade Office in Taipei (IETO).

“The work of caring for fishers cannot only be done by one party alone, but it can work if there are different groups who come together to help,” Ukat said.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel