Taiwan commends 2 Indonesian fishing workers as 'role models'

Taipei, Sept. 12 (CNA) Two Indonesian fishing workers working in Taiwan were honored as "Model Foreign Crew Members" on Friday during Taiwan's National Fishers' Day celebrations, marking the first presentation of the award by the National Fishermen's Association of Taiwan.

The two men are Cakida and Soli Hun, who have devoted many years to Taiwan's fishing industry as well as community services, the Fisheries Agency said in a news release.

Cakida, who has worked on a fishing ship at Tamsui's Second Fishing Harbor in New Taipei for 13 years, serving as deck master, deputy chief engineer and chef, received the "most outstanding foreign boat crew" award from the Tamsui Fisherman's Association in 2022, according to the agency.

Initially unaccustomed to life onboard vessels, Cakida eventually received recognition from the captain with his professionalism and hard work, earning enough to buy a plot of land and build a house in his hometown within two years, the agency said.

He also introduced his brothers to work on the ship.

Under his captain's encouragement, Cakida participated in Taiwan's "Retention of Foreign Intermediate Skilled Workforce" program and received training as a second-level chief engineer, the agency said.

He established and ran an Indonesian nationals' association and a messaging group that integrated medication, emergency assistance, and daily care services, as well as helped new crew members familiarize themselves with their jobs by volunteering as their interpreter, according to the agency.

He also assisted in multiple at-sea rescue operations and helped many people who had fallen into the sea.

The other commended fisherman, Soli Hun, has worked at Yilan County's Nanfang'ao for 17 years, earning deep trust from his captain and peers with his solid professional knowledge, the agency said.

He showed his helpful spirit when he assisted with community recovery and reconstruction work after Typhoon Megi caused severe flooding in Yilan's Su'ao Township in 2010, the agency added.

Soli Hun also cared for local migrant workers, organizing and leading an Indonesian boat crew organization and a seine fishing boat fraternity, serving as an executive director of the Yilan Migrant Fishermen Union, and assisting with the management and activities of the local mosque, according to the agency.

The National Fishers' Day celebrations are held on Friday and Saturday at the Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf, featuring fishing exhibitions, markets, crafts workshops, recreational games, and a concert, the agency said.