Injured Fisherman Demands Wi-Fi for Crews at Sea

Adrie Nelwan, an Indonesian fisherman, suffered a life-altering injury while working on a Taiwanese distant-water fishing vessel recently. When a fishing line snapped, he lost sight in his right eye. Nelwan believes that if he had access to Wi-Fi after the accident, he could have sought medical attention sooner, potentially saving his eye and his career as a fisher.

Protest Demands Wi-Fi Access for Fishers

Fueled by the lack of support from his vessel captain, the Taiwanese and Indonesian governments, and the seafood industry, Nelwan became an advocate for workers’ rights. Along with other Indonesian fishers, he participated in a protest organized by the Global Labor Justice – International Labor Rights Forum (GLJ-ILRF) at the 2024 Seafood Expo North America in Boston, Massachusetts.

The protest demanded unlimited Wi-Fi access for all crew members on distant-water fishing vessels. Nelwan emphasized the importance of this issue, stating, “I am speaking here hoping that no more fishers have to experience an accident on the high seas, having to endure all the pain I did without any compensation.”

Importance of Wi-Fi Access

The GLJ-ILRF, an NGO dedicated to protecting workers’ rights, has staged protests at the Seafood Expo for two consecutive years, advocating for Wi-Fi access for fishers. According to the forum, Wi-Fi access is essential for several reasons, including:

1. Enabling fishers to report instances of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities.

2. Improving the mental health of fishers who spend months at sea by allowing them to communicate with their families.

3. Facilitating access to medical assistance in case of emergencies or injuries, as Nelwan experienced.

Growing Movement for Change

The movement for mandated Wi-Fi access and labour rights for fishers has gained momentum over the past year. Several New England-based unions, including the United Food and Commercial Workers Union and the Boston Teachers Union, participated in this year’s protest.

Additionally, investigative reports highlighting forced labour in the seafood industry, such as the October 2023 Outlaw Ocean report, have raised awareness among governments, organizations, and companies about the dire working conditions in the fishing industry.

Dialogue with Taiwanese Authorities

The GLJ-ILRF is actively engaged in dialogue with vessel owners and the Taiwanese fisheries agency to establish guidelines for Wi-Fi use on fishing vessels. Valery Alzaga, the Deputy Director of GLJ-ILRF, expressed concern about whether all stakeholders are pushing in the right direction to address labour rights issues in the seafood industry.

Accountability for Seafood Companies

The NGO is also urging companies participating in the Seafood Expo North America to scrutinize their supply chains and ensure that their products do not stem from vessels perpetuating forced labour. During a conference session, representatives from major seafood companies, such as Bumble Bee and Thai Union, acknowledged the need for rigorous vessel exclusion policies and expressed willingness to address the Wi-Fi issue.

As Nelwan continues to share his story, the protest aims to bring about change and ensure that no fisherman has to endure the hardships he experienced due to a lack of access to communication and medical assistance while working at sea.