ILO – Providing better working and living conditions for migrant fishers in the ASEAN region

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    The issue of work in fishing is important for countries in Asia, including Southeast Asia. Over 87 per cent of the world’s fishers and 73 per cent of the global fleet of fishing vessels come from Asia (FAO, 2012). Cambodian and Myanmar migrant workers, for example, work on Thai vessels fishing in Malaysian and Indonesian waters; while beyond the ASEAN region, Vietnamese, Indonesian and Filipino fishermen also work on Korean and Taiwanese vessels.

    Press release | Jakarta, Indonesia | 27 April 2015

    JAKARTA (ILO News) – The issue of work in fishing is important for countries in Asia, including Southeast Asia. Over 87 per cent of the world’s fishers and 73 per cent of the global fleet of fishing vessels come from Asia (FAO, 2012). Cambodian and Myanmar migrant workers, for example, work on Thai vessels fishing in Malaysian and Indonesian waters; while beyond the ASEAN region, Vietnamese, Indonesian and Filipino fishermen also work on Korean and Taiwanese vessels.

    With increased attention being paid to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in ASEAN, it is also important to consider the associated issue of exploitative labour practices. Migrant fishers are particularly vulnerable to abuse, even forced labour as the nature of the work in fishing means that working hours and periods away from home are long, living and work conditions are tough and there are a number of hazards involved. Inspection of working and employment conditions also safety and health on board and enforcement of standards and penalties can protect workers aboard fishing vessels.

    Therefore, to further ensure better protection for migrant fisher, the International Labour Organization (ILO), with support from the Indonesian Ministry of Manpower, will conduct a two-day Regional Workshop on Guidelines on Flag State Inspection of Working and Living Conditions on Board Fishing Vessels from 28 – 29 April in Jakarta. The Workshop is organized by the ILO through its Tripartite Action for the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers in the ASEAN Region (ASEAN Triangle) Project, funded by the Canadian Government and the GMS Triangle Project funded by Australian Aid.

    “Under the new government of President Joko Widodo, Indonesia is now strengthen its efforts to protect both its waters and its fishers working for both national and international fishing vessels. As a maritime country, we greatly support initiatives to strengthen bilateral and regional cooperation, particularly among ASEAN countries, to effectively exercise our jurisdiction and control over vessels that fly their flag by establishing a common system,” said M. Hanif Dhakiri, Minister of Manpower, commenting on the importance of the workshop for Indonesia.

    During the workshop, relevant officials of government agencies, workers’ and employers’ organizations from eight countries (Indonesia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam) will strengthen their understanding and regional cooperation on the issue of work in fishing.

    The Workshop also provides a venue for participants to review national policy and legislative frameworks on work in fishing, to discuss inspection of working and living conditions, and to share information on the draft Guidelines on Flag State Inspection of Working and Living Conditions on Board Fishing Vessels. In addition, concrete follow up measures will be identified for national, bilateral and regional cooperation on providing better protection to migrant fishers.

    “We aim to reduce the exploitation of migrant fishers in the region through increased Port State and Flag State control inspection of working and living conditions on board fishing vessels. The ILO is committed to ensuring compliance with the requirements of ILO Convention No. 188 on Work in Fishing,” said Manuel Imson, Senior Programme Officer/Project Coordinator for ASEAN Triangle project.

    The ILO Convention on Work in Fishing (No. 188) was adopted in 2007, covering a broad range of issues particular to the fishing industry. These issues include minimum age for work, minimum standards for work agreements (for example, terms of payment, annual leave, and termination), rest periods, standards for living conditions and food on board, OSH and basic medical care, social security, etc.)

    The Workshop is the second Regional Workshop on migrant fishers, following the previous workshop held in Makassar in September 2013 titled “Regional Meeting on Work in Fishing: Increased Knowledge Base and Sharing Good Practices for the Protection of Migrant Workers. The first workshop discussed international standards on work in fishing, shared national policy and legislative frameworks, and shared experiences on the protection of migrant fishers in this sector in the region and around the world.

    Source : www.ilo.org

    Image : aseanfood.org

    Organisation/s Involved

    ILO (International Labor Organization) Jakarta Office

    For further information, please contact:

    Albert Y. Bonasahat
    ILO Triangle Project Officer
    Tel. +6221 391 3112 ext. 125
    Email

    Gita Lingga
    Media Relations Officer
    ILO Jakarta Office
    Tel. +6221 391 3112 ext. 115
    Email