Online Webinar (Zoom)

Rough Seas: COVID-19 impact on work in fishing

The ILO-Cornell joint webinar will discuss new analyses of COVID-19’s impact on work in fishing in South-East Asia. The panel will present will share the effects of the pandemic and discuss ways forward with industry stakeholders for a more resilient fishing and seafood processing sector.

Description

The commercial fishing industry in Asia and the Pacific is home to 29 million fishers, equivalent of 83 per cent of all fishers’ workers worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has declined global fishing activities, leading to declines in employment and hours workers within the sector in the region.

To take stock of the effects of the crisis, the ILO Ship to Shore Rights South East Asia programme and New Conversations Project at Cornell University School of Industrial and Labour Relations have jointly published a report ‘Rough Seas: The impact of COVID-19 on fishing workers in South-East Asia’. This virtual webinar will officially launch the report and present new analyses on the impacts of COVID-19 on workers, vessel owners, employers and economies.

The event will bring together international organizations, key sector stakeholders and industry representatives share their specialized knowledge and discuss ways forward for a more resilient fishing and seafood processing sector.

The session aims to raise awareness on the findings of the brief and open discussion with speakers from the sub-region on the effects of COVID-19 in their respective countries. A particular focus on ongoing challenges and ways forward for inclusive and sustainable recovery will allow the brief to be contextualized in a forward looking manner. The panel and open Q&A sessions will further explore the future of the sector and how to stay resilient to future shocks.

The virtual event will be held via Zoom. The registration link for attendees can be found here.

Agenda

09:00-09:05 Opening remarks
Ms Francesca Gilli, European Union Delegation in Thailand
 
09:05-09:20 Presentation on key findings
Mr Jason Judd, Cornell University
 
09:20-09:40 Panel discussion

Panellists:
  • Mr Ye Thew, Fishers’ Rights Network/International Transport Workers’ Federation
  • Ms Attapan Masrungson, Thai Tuna Industry Association
  • Ms Sulstri Afrileston, Trade Union Federation of Food, Beverage, Tourism, Restaurant, Hotel and Tobacco - Federasi Serikat Buruh Makanan Minuman Pariwisata Restoran Hotel dan Temkau (FSB KAMIPARHO)
  • Director Kirk de Guzman, Philippines Overseas Employment Administration
Moderator: Ms Anyamanee Tabtimsri, ILO
 
09:40-09:55     Open Q&A for all participants
Moderator: Ms Mi Zhou, ILO
 
09:55-10:00      Closing remarks
Ms Mi Zhou, ILO