Road map towards the ratification of ILO Convention No. 188 to protect Indonesian fishers
Fishing is recognized as a hazardous occupation with the highest incidence of occupational injuries and fatalities. As the biggest sending country for migrant fishers, Indonesia continue to find ways to provide better protection for its fishers.
The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, supported by the ILO, conducted a webinar on 5 March to examine challenges and opportunities for Indonesia when ratifying the ILO Convention No. 188 on Working in Fishing. As the biggest sending country for migrant fishers, the webinar was part of the Indonesia’s efforts to protect its fishers.
Indonesian fishing ships at the port Fishing is recognized as a hazardous occupation with the highest incidence of occupational injuries and fatalities. Fishers across the range of commercial fishing operations commonly face long working hours, remote work, exposure to dangerous weather conditions and the generally hazardous nature of working in the marine environment.
The protection of Indonesian fishers is the priority of Indonesian government. The ratification is the initial step for actions to protect our migrant fishers."
Febrian A. Ruddyat, Director General for Multilateral Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Febrian A. Ruddyat, Director General for Multilateral Cooperation, highlighted the commitment of Indonesian government to provide better protection for its workers in the fishing sector, including its migrant fishers. “The protection of Indonesian fishers is the priority of Indonesian government. The ratification is the initial step for actions to protect our migrant fishers,” he stated.
Similarly, Andy Rahcmianto, Director General for Protocol and Counsellor, underscored the development of road map that would provide guidance for Indonesia towards the ratification. “We can take benefits from international standards provided by the ILO Convention in Fishing Work that can be adapted to Indonesian contexts.”
ILO support for the ratification
Indonesia is the biggest sending country for migrant fishers
The ratification will provide better protection for fishers in fishing sector. This will also make the sector more attractive to youth and young workers that, in turn, promote employment and sustainability."
Brandt Wagner, Head of MARITIME Sector Unit, ILO Geneva
From the perspective of the international standards, Brandt Wagner, Head of MARITIME Sector Unit, ILO Geneva, explained that the Convention sets out binding requirements relating to work on board fishing vessels, including occupational safety and health, medical care at sea and ashore, rest periods, written working agreements, social protection and decent living conditions.
“The ratification will provide better protection for fishers in fishing sector. This will also make the sector more attractive to youth and young workers that, in turn, promote employment and sustainability, he said.
Meanwhile, Mi Zhou, Chief Technical Advisor of the ILO’s Ship to Shore Rights South East Asia, highlighted the supports given by the ILO. Through its developmental project, the ILO continue to support its member States, including Indonesia, to make improvements needed.
“The ILO’s Ship to Shore Rights South East Asia, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is a four-year programme, funded by the European Union (EU). It aims to strengthening legal frameworks, protecting labour rights, and empowering workers in the fishing and seafood processing sectors in seven South East Asia countries, including Indonesia,” Zhou said.
Learning from other countries
Thailand is one of the 18 countries that already ratified the ILO Convention No. 188 in 2019 and has become the first country in Asia. Jon Hartough, ITF/Fisher Rights Network Thailand Project Lead, shared the experience of Thailand in taking steps to improve its fishing sector. Some recommendations for fisher protection include the involvement on trade unions in policy formation and implementation, development of detailed legislation, improvement of interagency cooperation and capacity building for labour inspectors.
Labour inspection in fishing sector of Thailand Another country to share its experience as a ratified country is South Africa. Solwyn Bailey, Fishing Safety Specialist of the South African Maritime Safety, explained that the country ratified the ILO Convention in 2013, which came to force in 2017. The first detention under the Convention took place in 2018, following complaints by the crew about working conditions.
The webinar concluded with the initial step to develop a road map highlighting preparation steps towards the ratification of the ILO Convention No. 188. The road map includes mechanisms to build a coordination mechanism among relevant stakeholders, examine and harmonize existing regulations and strengthen enforcement efforts.
