Decent work in marine fishing questionnaires

This publication forms a key component of the Toolkit for surveys on decent work in marine fishing, developed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) to address the global data gap on working conditions in marine fishing.

The primary objective of the "Decent work in marine fishing questionnaires" is to generate reliable, replicable, and statistically representative prevalence data on working conditions in the marine fishing sector. This data serves as a foundation for employers, workers, governments, and other stakeholders to develop effective, evidence-based policies, establish priorities, and monitor progress toward improving labour standards in the sector.

The scope of the survey includes individuals employed or engaged in marine fishing activities, as defined by the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC Rev. 4), code 0311. This classification covers commercial fishing operations in ocean and coastal waters, as well as the activities of vessels engaged in both fishing and the processing or preservation of fish.

The questionnaires are grounded in the principles of the Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (No. 188). They include modules on a wide range of topics, such as eligibility and demographic characteristics, work contracts, travel to the workplace, recruitment costs, earnings, working conditions, onboard safety, social protection, collective bargaining, living conditions, and freedom of movement. A dedicated referral section is included to support identification and appropriate follow-up for potential cases of forced labour or trafficking for forced labour.

Two versions of the questionnaire have been developed to accommodate different sampling approaches:

1. Living area questionnaire – Used in living area-based sampling to interview household members who are currently employed in fishing or who have worked in the sector within the past three years (or another defined reference period), even if they are not currently working.
2. Vessel questionnaire – Administered to fishing workers sampled via vessel crew lists, targeting individuals currently employed in the sector.

The development of the questionnaires was supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries under the Blue Justice Initiative. Extensive cognitive testing was conducted in Indonesia and Cambodia to ensure clarity and cultural relevance. The finalized questionnaires were used in the 2024 Decent Work in Fishing Surveys conducted in Indonesia, South Africa, and Ghana. While these surveys employed harmonized core questionnaires, some questions and response options were adapted to reflect the specific context of each country's fishing industry.

Use of the questionnaire template

The use of the template of the questionnaires (Word format) is limited by specific requirements as indicated in the template.