All publications: fishing
Fifth revised edition, 2026
Compendium of Maritime Labour Instruments
The Compendium is an essential reference source including the key instruments adopted by the ILO to promote decent work for seafarers and fishers. The publication has been updated to reflect recent developments, including the latest amendments to...
Labour migration
Towards fair seas: Recruitment and working conditions for migrant workers in the fishing and seafood processing sectors in South-East Asia
This comprehensive regional survey assesses the working and living conditions for migrants in the fishing and seafood processing sectors, including the prevalence of forced labour.
Joint ILO / FAO publication
Policy guidance on the elimination of child labour in fisheries and aquaculture
This policy guidance offers a framework for governments, industry, employers’ and workers’ organizations, communities and international partners to translate international commitments into practical measures. By acting together, stakeholders can...
Toolkit for surveys on decent work in marine fishing
This toolkit compiles survey instruments developed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) to assess decent work in marine fishing sector. The tools were piloted in Ghana, Indonesia, and South Africa and validated with national partners.
Guidelines
Guidelines on fair treatment of seafarers detained in connection with alleged crimes
The present Guidelines are intended to be a reference tool for principles that can be reflected in the design and implementation of policies, strategies, programmes, legislation, administrative measures and social dialogue mechanisms on the fair...
ILO Brief
Intervention Model: For extending social protection to migrant fishers
Drawing from the ILO Guide on “Extending Social Protection to Migrant Workers, Refugees, and their Families” developed in collaboration with ISSA and ITCILO, the Intervention Models aim to provide policymakers and practitioners with succinct...
Understanding working conditions of fishers in Indonesia: Evidence from the 2024 Survey on Decent Work in Marine Fishing
This report presents the findings of Indonesia’s first-ever Survey on Decent Work in Marine Fishing, conducted by the ILO in collaboration with the Research Center for Population of the National Research and Innovation Agency (PRK-BRIN). The survey...
Brochure
10 questions: Migrant fishers
This postcard aims to offer migrant fishers key guiding questions to help them gather essential information before starting their job at sea.
ILO brief
Elevating the potential of rural youth: Paths to Decent Jobs and Sustainable Futures
The ILO policy brief addresses the urgent need to create decent jobs for rural youth by examining both the demand and supply sides of the rural labour market. It highlights the specific barriers rural youth face, such as limited access to skills...
Towards freedom at sea: Handbook for the detection of forced labour in commercial fishing
This Handbook responds to the need for consolidated guidance on the detection of forced labour among fishers.
Forced labour
The Alignment of Indonesian laws, policies, and their enforcement with the ILO international labour standards on forced labour: A situation...
This gap analysis documents the extent to which the requirements of PO29 are represented in the Government of Indonesia’s existing laws, norms and practices, with special reference to Indonesia’s catch fisheries sector and local fishers, who are one...
Labour migration
Precarious pathways: Migration patterns and service needs of Lao migrant workers
New research sheds light on the key issues faced by Lao migrant workers and outlines measures to help ensure they can migrate more safely and obtain decent work.
Brochure
Labour rights in the fishing and seafood processing sectors
This brochure provides information about the key labour rights and social protections for migrant workers in Thailand’s fishing and seafood processing sectors.
Brochure
Safety tips on board a fishing vessel
This brochure provides guidance on occupational safety and health (OSH) for workers employed on board fishing vessels in Thailand to prevent and respond to workplace injuries and accidents.
Brochure
Safe migration tips for working in the fishing and seafood processing sectors
This brochure contains advice on safe migration practices, labour rights protection and relevant contact information to seek assistance for migrant workers in Thailand’s fishing and seafood processing sectors.
Challenges and opportunities to advance decent work in five countries and supply chains: A synthesis report
This report summarizes the findings from rapid assessments and deep-dive research into decent work challenges and opportunities in five sectors and countries: coffee in Colombia, electronics in Viet Nam, fisheries in Namibia, rubber gloves in...
Food processing sector
Value chain analysis of the food processing sector in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha
The report is produced by the development cooperation project ‘Promoting Sustainable Enterprises in India’ (PSEI) and aims at enriching knowledge of various market actors in the food processing sector in the two states for evidence-based design and...
ILO Brief
Rough seas: The impact of COVID-19 on fishing workers in South-East Asia
This brief assesses the impacts of the pandemic on workers in the fishing industry in Asia and the Pacific, with particular attention to the pandemic’s impacts on migrant fishers.
Project flyer
Ship to Shore Rights South East Asia
This is the flyer of the project work.
Research paper: Study of the impact of intermediaries on environmental and social outcomes and worker vulnerability in small-scale fishing...
This study examines the specific role and impact of intermediaries through four case studies of small-scale seafood production in Southeast Asia.