What happens on a vessel remains on the vessel

Radio

Beatrice ZANI, IRASEC resident researcher, was interviewed by Tristan Hilderbrand for Colours of Taiwan on Radio Taiwan International. In the interview, she discussed aspects of her research conducted under the ANR FORSEA project, which examines migration and forced labor in the maritime economies of globalized Asia.

👉 The first two episodes can be listened to on RTI’s website.

The difficult, dirty, and dangerous job that sustains Taiwan’s economy

Big Asian economies like those in Taiwan, China, South Korea, and Singapore, heavily rely on foreign labor to move commodities and sustain their maritime economies. What draws foreign workers to positions on fishing vessels ?
Work on fishing vessels is difficult, dirty, and dangerous. Entry-level positions may pay just US$550 to $600 per month for more than 12 hours of work each work day. Some workers will pay an agent up to $3,500 to secure the job for them, then pay them around $100 each month to keep it, meaning some will continue to work beyond their limits to repay that debt.

🎧 Listen to the first episode.

What happens on a vessel remains on the vessel : Working in unconnected waters

When you are in the middle of international waters you are out of sight, out of mind. What happens on a vessel remains on the vessel. Without even a phone signal or Wi-Fi, what happens in situations of abuse ? What about when you signed on to work 14 hours a day and you’re actually working 24 ?

🎧 Listen to the second episode.