Everyone here in the country (Philippines) won't have any trouble to look for a fresh, tasty yet affordable fish to serve for a meal. But there is a horrible scene behind this mouth watering fish that serve in our meal. Folks who work in the Visayans pa-aling fishing industry are usually take danger and exploitative working conditions resembling forced and modern slavery.
What is Visayans pa-aling?
Visayans pa-aling is a very dangerous fishing method where fishermen go for dive about hundred feet below ocean floor with no other life support other than a breathing tubes attached to a compressor. The pa-aling is very similar to muro-ami. Pa-aling fishing method is risky and life-threatening. Fisher-folk is very near for injury when they accidentally dropped their breathing tubes or lacked protective gear, and even the possibility of instant death due to decompression.
Unfortunately, our fishermen brothers have no alternative will continue to be drawn to pa-aling fishing methods. But there are still a chance for us to protect there lives. We have to wake DOLE to releases stricter employment guidelines that meet the standards of the Expanded Trafficking in Persons law.
With these law on their side, our fishermen brothers will also be in a great position to ask for a fair compensation and benefits. Further, an established employer and employee relationship between pa-aling fishing operators and pa-aling fishermen will be monitor by DOLE, giving them power and protection.
According to the Walk Free Global Slavery Index released last November 17, 2014, an estimated 262,200 Filipinos are in conditions of modern slavery right now. Please take action now to ensure that pa-aling fisher-folk can be protected and that we can one strong step towards ending modern slavery in the Philippines.
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