Migrant fishers in Taiwan’s distant water fishing industry, their unions, and international allies have launched a global campaign called “Wi-Fi NOW for Fishers’ Rights at Sea,” demanding access to Wi-Fi for fishers on board Taiwanese distant water fishing vessels.

In the first year, 98% of grievances were resolved, including all GBVH cases

Photo courtesy of Lu yu jui 盧昱瑞

This report contains the comments of the Seafood Working Group (SWG) concerning Taiwan’s ranking in the United States Department of State’s 2023 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. The TIP Report is a requirement of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA). In 2022, the U.S. Department of State maintained Taiwan at its Tier 1 ranking on the basis that “Taiwan authorities fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.”

In the context of ongoing repression against labor leaders and violations of the fundamental labor rights in the Philippines under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice-President Sara Duterte, GLJ-ILRF, along with major U.S. labor unions signed a letter to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai calling on the U.S.