Indonesia Ratifies ILO Convention to Strengthen Fishery Worker Protection

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia has taken a major step to improve labor protections in its fisheries industry by formally ratifying an international convention aimed at safeguarding fishers and fishing vessel crews from unsafe and unfair working conditions.

Indonesian Manpower Minister Yassierli said the ratification reflects Indonesia's commitment to ensuring safe, decent, and humane working conditions for fishers and fishing vessel crews.

"The submission of the ratification instrument for ILO Convention No. 188 on Work in Fishing reflects Indonesia's concrete commitment to strengthening worker protection, particularly for fishers and fishing vessel crews," Minister Yassierli said on Thursday, June 11, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

As a major maritime nation, Indonesia views fisheries as a key economic sector. However, workers often face extreme weather, workplace accidents, long working hours, and other risks that require stronger protection standards.

"They face extreme weather, workplace accidents, long working hours, and conditions that require strong, consistent, and effectively implemented protection standards," he said.

The protections cover both crews operating in Indonesian waters and Indonesian migrant workers employed on fishing vessels overseas. Minister Yassierli added that fisheries are not only about economic output but also about protecting the people behind the industry.

The ratification follows the enactment of Presidential Regulation No. 25/2026. Indonesia plans to align national regulations, strengthen labor inspection mechanisms, and improve the capacity of relevant institutions, while also seeking technical support from the ILO during implementation.

He stressed that successful implementation will require cooperation among governments, employers, and workers. "These three parties need a shared understanding so that decent work principles in the fisheries sector can be implemented effectively, realistically, and sustainably," he added.

Indonesia remains committed to improving worker protection while maintaining business sustainability, fisheries productivity, and fair labor governance, he concluded. ***