Civil Groups Raise 200 Maritime First-Aid Kits, Urge Attention to Fishermen's Safety
Civil society organizations in Taiwan held a press conference announcing the collection of 200 maritime first-aid kits for distant-water fishermen. They urged the government to address the misallocation of resources and implement institutional reforms to ensure the basic human rights and occupational safety of fishery workers, citing international concerns over forced labor and industrial injuries in the industry.
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- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 15:47
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Central News Agency (CNA) -- (Taipei, May 8) Taiwan's distant-water fisheries have garnered international media attention due to issues of forced labor and industrial injuries. Civil society organizations held a press conference today to announce that they have collected 200 maritime first-aid kits for distant-water fishermen, which will be provided for their use. They hope the government will address the issue of resource misallocation and promote institutional reforms.
DPP Legislators Lin Yueh-chin and Wang Cheng-hsu, along with the Alliance for the Protection of Migrant Fishermen's Rights, the International Transport Workers' Federation, and the Yilan County Fishermen's Union, jointly held a press conference this morning at the Legislative Yuan.
Li Li-hua, Secretary-General of the Yilan County Fishermen's Union, pointed out that although the Fisheries Agency has allocated relevant budgets for subsidies for medical supplies and equipment at sea, how to accurately transform limited resources into readily available guarantees for fishermen at sea still requires joint efforts from both public and private sectors. Based on experience visiting fishing vessels, it was found that on-board medical kits are often locked in the captain's cabin, and injured fishermen have to 'beg' the captain or Taiwanese cadres to get medicine.
Li Li-hua stated that the Yilan County Fishermen's Union, in cooperation with the International Transport Workers' Federation, has collected 200 maritime first-aid kits to be provided to fishermen. They hope that this action will serve as a catalyst, working with government departments to review the current resource allocation and urge the government to address resource misallocation issues and promote institutional reforms.
Wang Cheng-hsu stated that a specialized maritime first-aid kit is emergency medical equipment designed for the extreme humid environment of the ocean and fishing vessels. It must be highly waterproof, wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant, comply with international safety standards, and be able to respond to trauma and injuries caused by marine life. In addition to being waterproof, the outer packaging must be conspicuous red or orange, and ensure that internal medicines are not affected by moisture.
Wang Cheng-hsu pointed out that the internal medical supplies must have hemostatic and bandaging functions, as well as cleaning and disinfection equipment. Antibiotic wound ointment is essential, mainly for wound infections caused by prolonged immersion in seawater, and can also prevent salt. It would be even better if there were other pain relievers, oral antibiotics, sterile gloves, or safety pins.
Lin Yueh-chin stated that human rights and labor rights cannot stay on shore, and occupational safety cannot become invalid after going to sea. Workers employed by Taiwanese employers, regardless of nationality, should enjoy basic protections, and fishermen should not be the most overlooked people in the most dangerous workplaces.
Lin Yueh-chin said that the civil society's collection of 200 multi-language first-aid kits is not just a donation of materials, but also a reminder to the system. First-aid supplies are originally the responsibility that the government should require employers to bear. She advocated that the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Labor, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare should establish a standard checklist, multi-language instructions, mandatory inspections, and mechanisms for public access. (Editor: Zhai Sijia) 1150508
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DPP Legislators Lin Yueh-chin and Wang Cheng-hsu, along with the Alliance for the Protection of Migrant Fishermen's Rights, the International Transport Workers' Federation, and the Yilan County Fishermen's Union, jointly held a press conference this morning at the Legislative Yuan.
Li Li-hua, Secretary-General of the Yilan County Fishermen's Union, pointed out that although the Fisheries Agency has allocated relevant budgets for subsidies for medical supplies and equipment at sea, how to accurately transform limited resources into readily available guarantees for fishermen at sea still requires joint efforts from both public and private sectors. Based on experience visiting fishing vessels, it was found that on-board medical kits are often locked in the captain's cabin, and injured fishermen have to 'beg' the captain or Taiwanese cadres to get medicine.
Li Li-hua stated that the Yilan County Fishermen's Union, in cooperation with the International Transport Workers' Federation, has collected 200 maritime first-aid kits to be provided to fishermen. They hope that this action will serve as a catalyst, working with government departments to review the current resource allocation and urge the government to address resource misallocation issues and promote institutional reforms.
Wang Cheng-hsu stated that a specialized maritime first-aid kit is emergency medical equipment designed for the extreme humid environment of the ocean and fishing vessels. It must be highly waterproof, wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant, comply with international safety standards, and be able to respond to trauma and injuries caused by marine life. In addition to being waterproof, the outer packaging must be conspicuous red or orange, and ensure that internal medicines are not affected by moisture.
Wang Cheng-hsu pointed out that the internal medical supplies must have hemostatic and bandaging functions, as well as cleaning and disinfection equipment. Antibiotic wound ointment is essential, mainly for wound infections caused by prolonged immersion in seawater, and can also prevent salt. It would be even better if there were other pain relievers, oral antibiotics, sterile gloves, or safety pins.
Lin Yueh-chin stated that human rights and labor rights cannot stay on shore, and occupational safety cannot become invalid after going to sea. Workers employed by Taiwanese employers, regardless of nationality, should enjoy basic protections, and fishermen should not be the most overlooked people in the most dangerous workplaces.
Lin Yueh-chin said that the civil society's collection of 200 multi-language first-aid kits is not just a donation of materials, but also a reminder to the system. First-aid supplies are originally the responsibility that the government should require employers to bear. She advocated that the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Labor, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare should establish a standard checklist, multi-language instructions, mandatory inspections, and mechanisms for public access. (Editor: Zhai Sijia) 1150508
Stand with the facts, every sponsorship you make is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the CNA 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.