‘SOLIDARITY ACROSS THE SEA’ VIGIL TO HONOUR THE LIVES OF FISHERS LOST

‘Solidarity Across the Sea’ vigil to honour the lives of fishers lost and enforceable brand agreements to protect fishers’ rights. Migrant fishers from Taiwan unite with local families and communities affected by a series of fishing accidents, and call for enforceable protections for the distant-water fishers who supply tuna to American dinner tables.

On Monday, March 16, outside the Seafood Expo North America at the Convention Centre in the Seaport, migrant fishers from Taiwan’s distant-water fleet will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Massachusetts’ grieving families and communities, to honour the lives lost in one of the world’s deadliest industries. Together, they will hold a rally and vigil—not just to mourn, but to demand change from the seafood industry to protect the lives and fundamental labour rights of fishers.

Rev. Steve Cushing of the New England Seafarers Mission will lead the vigil to honour fishermen lost at sea, calling out global seafood industry leaders attending the Seafood Expo about the human cost of cheap seafood. The vigil and solidarity rally will bring together unions, community allies, labour rights organisations, clergy, and local elected officials to share the stories of those who work the high seas and to press the global seafood industry for immediate, enforceable reforms.

WHAT: ‘Solidarity Across the Sea’ Vigil and Rally for Fishers
WHEN: Monday, March 16, 4:30-6:00 pm
WHERE: Outside of Seafood Expo North American, Boston Expo Centre
WHO:

• MC: Darlene Lambos, President, Greater Boston Labour Council
• Mass AFL-CIO
• Katie Murphy, President, Mass Nurses Association
• Dhinni Purnamasari, Local Indonesian community representative
• Fabricio DaSilva, Chief of Staff, New England Joint Board of UNITE HERE
• Yu Sin Mok, Organising Director, Chinese Progressive Association (member, APALA MA
• Jonathan Parhusip, Organiser, Global Labour Justice
• Masduki Priyono, Fisher and FOSPI Member
• Ahand Mudzakir, General Secretary, FOSPI

Vigil

MC: Rev. Steve Cushing, New England Seafarers Mission

• Tatiana Begault, MassCOSH Executive DirectorMother of the fisherman who perished in an accident on the fishing vessel, 25 to Life off the coast of Nahant

The migrant fishers, who fish for the tuna sold by global brands, and their allies are calling on the seafood industry to guarantee mandatory, free, secure Wi-Fi access for all crew through enforceable brand agreements that include protections against retaliation for raising safety issues and other labour and human rights violations.

Migrant fishers know the cost of the sea too well—months without contact with their families; injuries, wage theft, accidents, and deaths are their daily reality. One migrant fisher dies every week in Taiwan’s distant water fishing industry. They understand the grief when communities and families lose their loved ones at sea—and they have come to Boston to demand change for all fishers working at the bottom of the seafood supply chain.

Global Labour Justice (GLJ) is a non-governmental organisation that works transnationally to advance policies and laws that protect decent work, to strengthen freedom of association and workers’ ability to advocate for their rights, and to hold corporations accountable for labour rights violations in their supply chains.

Image: Pixabay