A Catholic priest in Taipei is calling for food donations to help migrant fishermen during the off-season in Taiwan. The Rev. Kaka Aie, an Indonesian priest from St. Christopher’s Church, made the comments during an exclusive interview with Rti News.
The fishing industry in Taiwan rotates between peak and off-peak seasons depending on the availability of the catch and weather conditions. It is common for employers to terminate the contract of migrant fishermen during the off-season. For these fishermen, that may mean being unemployed for 4 - 5 months, while migrant labor laws restrict their ability to find other kinds of employment.
Aie called for food donations to assist about 20 Indonesian migrant fishermen who are currently unemployed. Aie, who is himself Indonesian, said that the fishermen must stay at shelters while waiting for their agency representatives to help them find new work. During this time, he says, they have no income and need assistance.
Aie says that since most of the migrant fishermen are Muslims, the church is asking for food donations that do not include pork. Aie adds that the number of migrant workers in need of assistance changes constantly, and therefore suggests that donors contact the church before donating so that food is not wasted.