COVID-19, instability and migrant fish workers in Asia

Abstract

This paper seeks to establish how COVID-19 is impacting migrant fish workers through focusing on two global fish hubs, Thailand and Taiwan. Through a careful review of the news reports, social media, and NGO reports and press releases, three significant themes emerged: employment disruptions due to seafood system instabilities; travel or mobility restrictions; and poor access to services such as health care or social programs. We unpack each theme in turn to spotlight the impacts COVID-19 is having on yet another vulnerable worker population, fish workers. We further reflect on what this pandemic reveals about unacceptable work in industrial fisheries and consider if the pandemic may be producing opportunities to advocate for better working conditions.

Keywords

Labour; Migration; Industrial fisheries; Seafood; Pandemic

Published in

Maritime Studies
2021, Volume: 20, pages: 87-99 Publisher: SPRINGER HEIDELBERG

SLU Authors

• Kadfak, Alin

  • Department of Urban and Rural Development, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG3 Good health and well-being
SDG8 Decent work and economic growth


UKÄ Subject classification

Economic Geography


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-020-00205-y

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/109450