NIA and Tzu Chi Co-Host Free Medical and Haircut Services for Foreign Crewmembers — Taking Action to Care for Migrant Fishermen
- Date：
- Source：Border Affairs Corps
- Hit：142
- Updated date：2025-10-13
As the Pacific saury season reaches its peak and deep-sea fishing vessels return to port, Kaohsiung’s Cianjhen Fishing Harbor once again bustles with activity. Amid this vibrant scene, a meaningful event filled with compassion quietly took place. The National Immigration Agency’s (NIA) Border Affairs Corps, Kaohsiung Port Border Affairs Brigade, joined hands with the Tzu Chi International Medical Association (Kaohsiung-Pingtung) to organize a free medical and haircut service on October 12, 2025, at the Cianjhen Fishing Harbor Seafarers’ Association. The event provided a range of free medical and personal care services to foreign crewmembers, offering warmth and comfort to those working far from home.The event was a joint effort supported by multiple public and private organizations, including the NIA’s Southern Administration Corps Kaohsiung City First Service Center, the Fisheries Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Kaohsiung City Marine Bureau, the Kaohsiung City Police Department, the Kaohsiung Fishermen’s Association, the Tzu Chi Charity Haircut Team, three major industry associations representing Taiwan’s deep-sea squid, saury, tuna, and purse seine fisheries, the Deep-Sea Fisheries Youth Association, and the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan’s Seamen and Fishermen’s Service Center. Bringing together professionals and volunteers from the medical, maritime, religious, and civic sectors, the event served as a safe harbor of care and support for foreign fishermen.
A comprehensive range of medical services was provided on-site, including traditional Chinese acupuncture, ophthalmology, dentistry, abdominal ultrasound, electrocardiogram (ECG), blood pressure screening, and general internal and external medicine. To bridge communication gaps, multilingual volunteer interpreters assisted foreign crewmembers throughout the process. Meanwhile, the Tzu Chi Charity Haircut Team offered free grooming services, helping participants refresh their appearance and regain a sense of dignity amid their hard work at sea.
NIA Director-General Lin Horng-En noted that Taiwan’s distant-water fishing industry relies on the joint efforts of both local fishermen and countless foreign crewmembers from Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and other countries. Spending months or even years at sea under harsh and isolated conditions, their health needs often go unnoticed. Upholding the principle of “people-oriented service,” the NIA has long been committed to humanitarian care and multicultural inclusion. Through initiatives such as free medical checkups and haircut services, the agency aims to extend warmth into the fishing ports and safeguard the health and dignity of migrant fishermen in cooperation with civic partners.
Many foreign crewmembers expressed heartfelt gratitude after receiving care during the event. One Indonesian fisherman, who has worked in Taiwan for seven years, shared, “Seeing a doctor and getting a haircut here makes me feel at ease. There are translators to help, and it really feels like being home again.” A Tzu Chi volunteer added, “All they need is a little kindness to help them endure the long and difficult days at sea.”
Looking ahead, the NIA will continue working closely with Tzu Chi and related organizations to expand services and build a more comprehensive care network for migrant fishermen. Through regular medical outreach, psychological counseling, and multilingual support, the agency strives to make Taiwan a safe and welcoming second home for all foreign crewmembers.
Related Picture(s)
The NIA Border Affairs Corps and Tzu Chi Kaohsiung-Pingtung Medical Association jointly host a free medical and haircut service for foreign crewmembers at Cianjhen Fishing Harbor.
NIA officers provide information to foreign crewmembers on preventing human trafficking and protecting personal rights.
A foreign crewmember receives free dental care during the event.
Volunteers from the Tzu Chi Charity Haircut Team provide haircut services to foreign crewmembers.