Mauritanian employees of Hongdong Fishery, a company headquartered in Fujian, work aboard a ship. [Photo/China Daily]

Hindou Mint Khartoun, a 23-year-old logistics worker at the Mauritanian branch, said she has learned much from her work - from classifying and packaging fish, to communication skills.

She has nine family members. Her father, husband and elder brother work elsewhere. Her four siblings are at school.

"I feel proud to work here," she said. "Now I'm confident to tell others that I have the ability to work. When my family needs money, I can help to relieve the pressure on them."

She said she has opened a store with her salary, which she runs after work.

Dekouma Med Yesslem, 24, joined Hongdong in 2013.