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

MANILA (ILO News) – The Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to promoting safe and fair migration and decent work in the fisheries and seafood supply chain with the launch of the new phase of the Ship to Shore Rights South-East Asia: Safe Migration for Decent Work in the Blue Economy programme.

Key stakeholders from government institutions, employers’ and workers’ organisations, civil society, and international development partners met in Manila on 4 June for the Project Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting at the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Central Office. The participants reviewed the outcomes of the recent national consultation workshop, endorsed the national work plan for 2025–2028, and agreed on the next steps for implementation.

The meeting opened with remarks from key officials. In his opening statement, Assistant Secretary Jerome Pampolina of the DMW, who was represented by the Sea-Based Accreditation Bureau Director Mr Augusto San Diego III, welcomed the continuation of the programme and emphasised the importance of joint action. “This programme is a timely and strategic initiative that aligns with our national priorities to protect and empower our sea-based workers,” he said.

Khalid Hassan, Director of the ILO Country Office for the Philippines, underscored the significance of inclusive dialogue and evidence-based policymaking in achieving the programme’s objectives, stating, “Through inclusive dialogue and evidence-based policymaking, we aim to create safer, fairer, and more sustainable conditions for all workers across the fish and seafood supply chain. The PAC will serve as a vital mechanism for ensuring that our work is grounded in the realities of those most affected, our migrant fishers and their communities.”

The national work plan outlines key activities aligned with four strategic objectives: strengthening regional cooperation on labour migration, including ASEAN-level guidance on labour inspection; reinforcing national legal and policy frameworks, such as advancing the ratification of ILO Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (No. 188) and regulating recruitment practices; promoting responsible business conduct through technical assistance to manning agencies, development of fair recruitment guidelines, and integration of due diligence measures into business operations; and empowering migrant workers and their communities through improved access to legal aid, financial literacy, reintegration support, and collective bargaining.

In the Philippines, the programme will provide technical assistance to manning agencies, including the development of fair recruitment guidelines and support for due diligence measures. This includes collaboration with the Licensed Manning Agencies for Fishers (LMAF), an industry association of government-licensed recruitment agencies that deploy Filipino fishers for overseas employment.

At the conclusion of the meeting, participants endorsed the proposed work plan and tentatively scheduled the next PAC meeting for June 2026. Stakeholders reiterated their commitment to the collaborative implementation of the programme’s goals.

Ship to Shore Rights South-East Asia: Safe Migration for Decent Work in the Blue Economy is a regional initiative funded by the European Union (EU). The ILO implements the programme in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), with the overall objective of promoting safe migration and decent work for a sustainable fish and seafood supply chain in South-East Asia. The programme addresses the specific vulnerabilities that migrant workers face in these sectors, as well as the risks they encounter during the labour migration process, which can lead to decent work deficits, labour rights abuses, and forced labour.