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EU supports Indonesia to advance decent work in fishing and seafood under new phase of Ship to Shore Rights Project
Working in Batang fishing port, Indonesia

Labour migration

EU supports Indonesia to advance decent work in fishing and seafood under new phase of Ship to Shore Rights Project

New phase of the Ship to Shore Rights South-East Asia programme launched to enhance protection of fishers and migrant workers in Indonesia’s blue economy, marked by first National Project Advisory Committee meeting.

ILO integrates sectoral labour statistics to strengthen access to world of work data
Photo of data charts

Sectoral labour data and statistics

ILO integrates sectoral labour statistics to strengthen access to world of work data

Updated sectoral webpages now combine data from ILOSTAT with key resources on labour standards, policies, and research across major industries — helping constituents, researchers, and policymakers make evidence-based decisions to promote decent work.

New data reveals leading causes of seafarer deaths in 2023
Image for blog on Seafarer

ILOSTAT blog

New data reveals leading causes of seafarer deaths in 2023

A first-ever global data collection on seafarer fatalities offers insight into the main causes of death at sea, revealing critical safety and health risks. With data from 51 countries, this analysis underscores the urgent need for stronger reporting...

Global momentum builds to strengthen fishers’ rights at UN Ocean Conference
Photo of ILO Director-General and Minister of Animal and Fisheries Resources of Côte d'Ivoire during the ratification of Convention No. 188.

Fishing sector

Global momentum builds to strengthen fishers’ rights at UN Ocean Conference

On World Oceans Day, Côte d’Ivoire became the latest country to ratify the ILO Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (No. 188), marking a major step toward advancing labour rights at sea.

Global maritime leaders unite in a call to protect seafarers from criminalization
Representatives from from IMO, ILO, ICS, ITF speaking in row with a UN logo background

IMO / ILO / ICS / ITF

Global maritime leaders unite in a call to protect seafarers from criminalization

Global maritime leaders from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Labour Organization (ILO), International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), and International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) reaffirm commitment to fair...

Belgium ratifies the Minimum Wage Fixing Convention and the Work in Fishing Convention
Mr. David Clarinval, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment, Economy and Agriculture of Belgium, presents the instruments of ratification of Conventions Nos. 131 and 188 to the ILO Director-General, Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo. 11 June 2025.

International Labour Standards

Belgium ratifies the Minimum Wage Fixing Convention and the Work in Fishing Convention

Belgium becomes the 56th country to ratify Convention No. 131 and the 24th country to ratify Convention No. 188.

Voices from Sea and Shore: Reflections from the 8.7 Accelerator Lab for Decent Work in Fishing
A young seafarer wearing a safety helmet and orange life vest smiles at the camera aboard a fishing vessel in South Africa. Behind him, fellow crew members in similar safety gear prepare for work. The photo was taken as part of the ILO’s 8.7 Accelerator Lab Initiative, which supports decent work and improved labour conditions in the fishing sector.

Voices from Sea and Shore: Reflections from the 8.7 Accelerator Lab for Decent Work in Fishing

Fishing is one of the most dangerous and least protected jobs in the world. In South Africa, that's starting to change thanks to the 8.7 Accelerator Lab Initiative.

Philippines steps up decent work in blue economy under EU-funded ‘Ship to Shore’ programme
photo-fishers-unload-tuna-catch

Labour migration

Philippines steps up decent work in blue economy under EU-funded ‘Ship to Shore’ programme

New phase of the Ship to Shore Rights South-East Asia programme launched to enhance protection of migrant workers’ rights in the blue economy, marked by inaugural Project Advisory Committee meeting.

Guyana strengthens its fisheries cooperatives with ILO-FAO training initiative
A group of 19 individuals pose for a photo indoors against a light yellow wall, likely during a training or workshop.

Cooperative development

Guyana strengthens its fisheries cooperatives with ILO-FAO training initiative

This initiative forms part of the broader FISH4ACP effort, an OACPS-led programme implemented by the FAO, and funded by the European Union and the German BMZ, to improve value chains across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.

Decent work for Cambodian migrants in the fish and seafood supply chain to be strengthened by European Union-funded initiative
Cambodian migrant fishers set a trawl on a fishing vessel in Rayong, Thailand.

Labour migration

Decent work for Cambodian migrants in the fish and seafood supply chain to be strengthened by European Union-funded initiative

New phase of the Ship to Shore Rights South-East Asia programme to improve protection of labour rights for migrant fishing, seafood processing and aquaculture workers.

Seafarers’ conditions set to improve after shipping industry adopts amendments to Maritime Labour Convention, 2006
Fifth meeting of the Special Tripartite Committee

Seafarers’ conditions set to improve after shipping industry adopts amendments to Maritime Labour Convention, 2006

Amendments will enhance the living and working conditions of seafarers.

Subcommittee on Wages of Seafarers reaches agreement to increase seafarer minimum wage following negotiations
Group photo of the 2025 Subcommittee wages of seafarers of the JMC

Subcommittee on Wages of Seafarers reaches agreement to increase seafarer minimum wage following negotiations

Through social dialogue, Shipowners’ and Seafarers’ representatives agreed to gradually raise the minimum wage over the course of the next three years

Building a sustainable future for Guyana’s fisherfolk
Group photo of approximately 30 participants standing and seated indoors at a professional event. Behind them is a banner displaying the logo of the FAO and the FISH4ACP project.

Cooperative development

Building a sustainable future for Guyana’s fisherfolk

This collaborative Project brings together the ILO and FAO through FISH4ACP to strengthen fishing cooperatives, enhance livelihoods, and promote better working conditions, with particular attention on the empowerment of women in the seafood value...

Pakistan ratifies three International Labour Standards
Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, hands over the instruments of ratification for three key ILO Conventions to ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo.

Pakistan ratifies three International Labour Standards

President Asif Ali Zardari has approved Pakistan’s ratification of three key ILO instruments to strengthen workers' rights, combat forced labour, enhance seafarers' protections and improve labour data collection.

Indonesian fishers are still vulnerable to exploitation
Four people standing on the stage and two of them holding boxes containing a publication

Press release

Indonesian fishers are still vulnerable to exploitation

The first-ever ILO Survey on Decent Work in Marine Fishing, conducted in collaboration with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), reveals several decent work deficits in Indonesia. While there is progress in recent years, the study...

Fishers brace for climate change hazards
A fisher checks his boat along the river in Navotas.

Migrant fishers

Fishers brace for climate change hazards

Rising tides and changing weather make it harder for fishers to face risks at sea, highlighting the need for safety and health at work and anticipatory action to protect their lives and livelihoods.

Sri Lanka’s next generation of women seafarers are ready to set sail

Video

Sri Lanka’s next generation of women seafarers are ready to set sail

Vulnerable and marginalized Sri Lankan youth, including women, are learning how to become seafarers, thanks to an ILO work-based learning programme, funded by the Government of Japan.

Barbados supports the welfare of seafarers by ratifying the Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention
Ratification ceremony of Convention No. 185, 3 March 2025: Mr Matthew Wilson, Permanent Representative of Barbados to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva and Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the ILO.

Barbados supports the welfare of seafarers by ratifying the Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention

Barbados becomes the 40th ILO member State to ratify Convention No. 185.

Championing a culture of respect and OSH at workplace in Maluku
Processing Tuna in a factory in Indonesia

Our impact, their voices

Championing a culture of respect and OSH at workplace in Maluku

A fish processing company in Ambon, Maluku shares its good practice in promoting occupational safety and health (OSH) culture and a respectful work environment, with support from the ILO.

Ship to Shore Rights South East Asia Programme advances labour rights for migrant fishers and seafood processing workers
Batang fishing port in Central Java, Indonesia, 2024

Labour migration

Ship to Shore Rights South East Asia Programme advances labour rights for migrant fishers and seafood processing workers

European Union-funded initiative concludes its second phase, delivering significant progress towards decent work in the blue economy.