The Philippines possesses very rich fishing grounds where approximately one million workers depend on as a source of income and livelihood. While fisheries sector is a driver of rural jobs, inclusive growth in the fisheries sector cannot be reached, if we do not address the issues faced by people behind it – the fishers, both women and men.
 

Between July to August 2015, the government, workers and employers together with representatives from the fisheries industry talked about decent work for fishers and ILO Convention No. 188 on the Work in Fishing during the regional consultations in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. These were spearheaded by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in collaboration with the ILO. The consultations provided venue to discuss results of the gap analysis and the proposed Joint Department Order which contain rules and regulations covering working conditions of fishers.