Indonesia begins enforcing ILO fishing labor standards

hartono · Jul 26, 2026

Indonesia begins enforcing ILO fishing labor standards

Crew members unload their catch at the Paotere Fish Landing Port (PPI) in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Wednesday (June 3, 2026). The Indonesian government has officially ratified the International Labor Organization Convention No. 188/2007 (ILO 188) on work in fishing to ensure the fulfillment of the rights of fishing vessel workers and fish catchers and is targeted to be implemented in 2027. ANTARA PHOTO/Arnas Padda/nz

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries has begun implementing the International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention No. 188 on Work in the Fishing Sector through Ministerial Regulation No. 4 of 2026 on the Governance of Fishing Vessel Crewing.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the ministry's Director General of Capture Fisheries, Lotharia Latif, said the regulation follows the issuance of Presidential Regulation No. 25 of 2026, which ratified ILO Convention No. 188.

The regulation adopts international standards for protecting fishing vessel crew members while strengthening labor governance in the capture fisheries sector.

The ILO Convention No. 188 on Work in the Fishing Sector is an international standard that regulates the rights of fishing vessel crew members, including minimum requirements for work, occupational safety and health, working and living conditions on board vessels, vessel inspections, and social security protection.

Through the ministerial regulation, the ministry stipulates several requirements for fishing vessel crew members, including a minimum age of 18 years old, possession of a Fisheries Seafarer's Book, a competency certificate, and a valid medical certificate, Latif said.

They must also receive BPJS Ketenagakerjaan employment membership, a Maritime Employment Agreement (PKL), and be recruited through an official mechanism subject to strict oversight by the Fisheries Harbor Master.

Latif added that his office continues to improve the capacity of fishing vessel crew members by providing outreach on crew protection and preventing human trafficking at various fishing ports, fishing centers, educational and training institutions, and in their hometowns.

The ministry also facilitates Basic Safety Training for Fisheries (BSTF) program, which has so far been attended by 3,584 fishing vessel crew members, along with the publication of a Fisheries Seafarer's Book.

Latif noted that since 2021, the ministry has operated a complaint channel for domestic fishing vessel crew members to address labor disputes and alleged human rights violations.

He also ensured that every report received will be verified and followed up through coordination with relevant ministries and institutions.

Administrative sanctions for violations include coaching measures, written warnings, temporary suspension of activities, administrative fines, and even the suspension and revocation of the vessel's operational permit.

Meanwhile, any cases involving alleged criminal offenses will be referred to law enforcement authorities.

As part of its regulation efforts, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries cited the handling of the alleged human trafficking case involving 21 prospective fishing vessel crew members aboard KM Awindo 2A, which has been processed through the Denpasar District Court.

According to Latif, the initiatives demonstrate the government's commitment to promoting sustainable capture fisheries while ensuring the protection of fishing vessel crew members, who play a vital role in the sector.