Adrian Basar did not want to become a distant-water fisherman. With 22-hour workdays and pay of around 450 dollars per month, it’s not the most glamorous—or fulfilling, or generally safe—job.
But for 10 months out of the year, when he’s out at sea, Basar can’t talk to his siblings, or anyone in his family, because he’s not allowed to use the Wi-Fi on the ship.
“I think the companies that don’t want to put Wi-Fi on their ships pray for things not to be revealed,” Basar said. “There are many companies that don’t want Wi-Fi.”
A coalition between a self-organized Indonesian fishers’ union, a Taiwanese human rights group and multiple global labor organizations is trying to change that.
The “Wi-Fi Now for Fishers’ Rights” campaign, which has been organizing since 2023, wants to make Wi-Fi access a standard in the industry, both to help improve working conditions through union organizing and to allow the workers to have contact with other human beings for more than two months per year.
The guy lost two fingers and did his own surgery over four days with nail clippers. WTF
They should be asking for internet access rather than “WiFi”, as WiFi is not synonymous with internet access
I’ve increasingly noticed this. It’s irritating.
On one hand, yes. On the other hand, on a cell phone on a boat in the middle of nowhere with no congestion in the airwaves, it’s probably by far the most practical.
You can have WiFi without internet, as is the case on some boats and airplanes
Thank you professor stallman.
“Here’s your WiFi. Oh, you want the password? Next you’ll be asking for DHCP.”
how are they making so much less then what I make at walmart??
Because they live in a different country
Because Walmart isn’t legally allowed to pay you what they really want to pay.
Because of the implication that something could go wrong if you didn’t work for them on their boat.
Are these fishers in danger?
Of course not! If they say no, the answer’s no.
Upvote for the It’s always sunny reference.
Indonesian migrant fishermen who work for Taiwan’s massive fishing market
I really don’t want to be a hater on this, but maybe get a different vocation?
If you need remote access to Internet, Starlink IS an option if you want to give that prick money.
There are also other Sat alternatives as well. This is mostly a solved problem.
So, if you’re working 22 hour days for $450 a month, you’re not really in a position to decide what equipment gets installed on the boat. There’s a lot of things that are technically possible but not done because it doesn’t serve company greed.
