Indonesia accuses Chinese fishing vessels of behaving “inhumane”

According to the news agency APThe Indonesian government on Tuesday criticized Chinese fishing boats, accusing them of behaving “inhuman” towards Indonesian fishermen “like slaves”, resulting in the deaths of at least three. citizens of this country.

Foreign Minister Marsudi revealed that 49 Indonesian sailors between the ages of 19 and 24 were forced to work an average of 18 hours a day on at least four Chinese fishing vessels.

Marsudi alleges that some sailors were not even paid or received the money they had previously agreed to. Tired work and poor conditions aboard the ship spread the disease among sailors, killing at least three Indonesians and their bodies floating toward the Pacific.

“We condemn the inhumane treatment of sailors who work in Chinese fishing companies. According to the information obtained, the company violated human rights, “said Marsudi.

The Indonesian diplomat said most of the sailors were repatriated from four Chinese fishing vessels after performing mandatory isolation of Covid-19 at a hotel in Busan, South Korea, where the ships had docked. after 13 months at sea.

The move follows a series of videos of the body of the Indonesian crew member dumped into the sea for burial after his death. Meanwhile, some Indonesian sailors reported that some people were ill for months but did not receive medical attention.

According to a source from the group of lawyers representing the interests of Indonesian sailors, the crew members received just $ 300 for 1 year of hard work, in stark contrast to $ 300 / month. They are committed to the contract.

Marsudi said the Chinese government was paying special attention to the incident and that the government of both sides would open a joint investigation into the abusive allegations.

Your Majesty

According to AP