Govt Strengthens Fisheries Workers Protection through ILO Ratification

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has expanded labor protections to cover the marine fisheries sector, with international standards now serving as a benchmark for fishing vessel crews.

The ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 188 on Work in Fishing has been enacted through Presidential Regulation No. 25/2026.

President Prabowo Subianto announced the policy during the 2026 International Workers’ Day commemoration as part of efforts to strengthen protections for workers in high‑risk sectors.

Manpower Minister Yassierli emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring comprehensive protection for fishing vessel crews. “Not only on land, but also out in the wide ocean to protect all crew members, including those working on small vessels,” Minister Yassierli said in Jakarta on Monday, May 4, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He noted that the fishing sector involves significant risks and spans multiple jurisdictions, making global legal standards essential to safeguard workers’ rights.

“With this ratification, Indonesia is now on par with other developed maritime nations in upholding human rights standards on international waters,” Minister Yassierli said.

Implementation of the convention requires a minimum age and medical fitness before working on a vessel. Transparent written employment contracts are also mandatory to ensure legal certainty for workers.

The government further stresses welfare at sea, including adequate accommodation and provisions. Occupational safety and health (OSH) standards must be met, covering protection against accidents and access to medical services.

“Not only that, through this ratification, we aim to ensure that seafarers receive fair and adequate social security protection,” Minister Yassierli added.

The policy also serves as a tool to eradicate forced labor and child exploitation in the fisheries sector, with the government aiming to build a more sustainable and equitable industry.

“This marks a new chapter in history. Through this ratification, we want to ensure that our brothers and sisters working at sea no longer feel they are working alone. The government is here to guarantee their security, safety, and dignity as workers,” Minister Yassierli said. ***