Indonesia urges ASEAN to strengthen cooperation on human trafficking in the maritime sector
Indonesia continue to encourage member States of ASEAN to strengthen a regional collaboration to address issues related to human trafficking and labour exploitation against migrant fishers in fishing industry.
In addition to being vulnerable to human trafficking, migrant fishers have to face long working hours, dangerous working conditions, limited protection from occupational hazards as well as additional challenges related to payment of fees, lack of appropriate training or certification and documentation. These issues are being faced by major seafood and fish exporting nations such as Indonesia, Thailand, Viet Nam, Myanmar and the Philippines.
As a maritime country, we greatly support initiatives to strengthen bilateral and regional cooperation, particularly among ASEAN countries, to effectively develop actions and strategies to ensure decent work conditions at sea."
M. Hanif Dhakiri, Minister of Manpower
Under the government of President Joko Widodo, Minister Hanif continued, Indonesia has continued to strengthen its efforts to protect its fishers from human trafficking and labour exploitation. Indonesia has also enacted the Law No. 15/2016 as the ratification of the ILO’s Maritime Labour Convention.
Although Indonesia has initiated some policies to address these issues, we cannot work alone. Therefore, through this Forum, we would like to call all of the ASEAN countries to be actively involved. Indonesia is ready to lead this regional cooperation."
Arif Havas Oegroseno, Deputy Minister for Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs
Deputy Minister for Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Arif Havas Oegroseno, emphasized that issues related to human trafficking and labour exploitation at sea could not be solved by only one country. “Although Indonesia has initiated some policies to address these issues, we cannot work alone. Therefore, through this Forum, we would like to call all of the ASEAN countries to be actively involved. Indonesia is ready to lead this regional cooperation,” stated Arif Havas.
The ILO is committed to ensuring compliance with the requirements of this ILO Convention in the region."
Michiko Miyamoto, Country Director of the ILO in Indonesia
The Forum is attended by relevant officials of government agencies, workers’ and employers’ organizations from Indonesia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Lao PDR and Viet Nam.
For further information please contact:
Among Resi PundiILO’s Project Officer of SEA Fisheries
Email: resi@ilo.org
Lusiani Julia
ILO’s Programme Officer
Email: lusiani@ilo.org