JAKARTA – The Indonesian Fisherman Association (INFISA) expresses its highest appreciation to the Government of Taiwan, specifically its Agriculture Department, Fisheries Agency, for the firm policy mandating that all Taiwanese fishing companies exclusively partner with Indonesian vessel crew placement agencies officially registered as Indonesian Migrant Worker Placement Companies (P3MI) under the supervision of the Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Board (BP2MI).

This directive was stipulated in an official circular issued by the Taiwan Fisheries Agency on August 12, 2025. The circular clarifies that this measure is to align Taiwanese regulations with the latest policies enacted by the Government of Indonesia.

“This is a very significant step forward and one that we warmly welcome. This Taiwanese policy demonstrates a serious commitment to protecting Indonesian vessel crews and respecting the regulations established by our government,” stated Mr. Chairul Hadi, Secretary-General of INFISA, in his statement in Jakarta.

According to the circular, the Indonesian Government completed the transition of management authority for the placement of fishery vessel crews to BP2MI in January 2025. Consequently, any agency recruiting and placing Indonesian crew must be qualified and verified as a P3MI by BP2MI.

“This policy will effectively break the chain of illegal brokers and unofficial agencies that have often exploited our vessel crews. With this requirement, prospective crew members will receive legal certainty, better protection, and a transparent recruitment process,” Mr. Chairul Hadi continued.

The Taiwan Fisheries Agency also facilitates compliance for its domestic companies by providing a direct link to the official BP2MI website (https://siskop2mi.bp2mi.go.id) to verify the list of legal and accredited P3MI.

INFISA views this policy as the result of successful diplomacy and effective coordination between Indonesia’s representatives in Taipei and the relevant Taiwanese authorities. This step is in line with the collective effort to eradicate forced labor and human trafficking within the fishing industry.

“Our greatest hope is that this progressive policy will be implemented on the ground immediately and with strict oversight. INFISA is ready to cooperate and monitor the implementation to ensure all Indonesian vessel crews working on Taiwanese fishing vessels depart through legal and safe channels with their rights fully guaranteed,” he concluded.