Yilan Migrant Fishermen Union (YMFU) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation have jointly funded the distribution of 200 maritime first-aid kits. In a Friday, May 8, press conference, the YMFU said that it hopes this initiative will serve as a catalyst, raising government and societal awareness of occupational safety and health among distant-water fishermen.

Taiwan is the world's second-largest producer of distant-water fishing vessels. However, several prominent international media outlets, including CNN and The Guardian, have recently reported on issues of forced labor and workplace injuries on Taiwanese fishing boats.
Legislator Lin Yueh-chin (林月琴) pointed out that fishermen often have nowhere to turn for help when injured at sea and, currently, deep-sea fishermen are not covered by the Agricultural Insurance Act, resulting in serious deficiencies in subsequent compensation and protection for occupational injuries. Therefore, she pledged to continue pushing domestic legislation to include foreign fishermen in the insurance system and urged the upgrading and configuration of medical equipment on Taiwanese fishing vessels.

Fisheries Agency Foreign Manpower Section Head Kao Yu-hsuan (高玉瑄)stated that the agency has drafted a list of onboard medicines and medical supplies, which is expected to be officially announced in June. She said that over the next two years, they will continue to promote this initiative and provide subsidies to help Taiwanese fishing vessels acquire all necessary items. Simultaneously, Kao added that they will promote the installation of Wi-Fi equipment on fishing vessels for video consultations.

The 200 "maritime first-aid kits" collected in collaboration with the ITF each contain disinfectant, antibiotic ointment, basic medical supplies, and an electronic thermometer.