The Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (No. 188) has the objective to ensure that fishers have decent conditions of work on board fishing vessels. The objective of the Convention is to ensure that fishers have decent conditions of work on board fishing vessels with regard to minimum requirements for work on board; conditions of service; accommodation and food; occupational safety and health protection; medical care and social security. It calls for States to establish an effective system for the inspection of conditions on board vessels flying the flag of a ratifying State, and includes provisions for inspection of foreign vessels (port State control). To obtain that objective, the ILO, together with its partners, will organize activities aiming at the ratification and implementation of Convention No. 188. Furthermore, Convention No 188 will enter into force in November 2017, and through the work of its supervisory system, the ILO will monitor its implementation and enforcement both in law and in practice.
Progress reports
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in UNCLOS, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of The Future We Want
Type of commitment
- Activities to raise awareness of the comprehensive legal and policy framework for the sustainable development of oceans and seas, in particular UNCLOS, its Implementing Agreements and other relevant ocean-related instruments and promote their effective im
- Ratification, accession and acceptance of UNCLOS, its Implementing Agreements and other relevant ocean-related instruments
- Activities to develop the capacity of States towards broader participation in and effective implementation of UNCLOS and its implementing Agreements
- Strengthening ocean governance, for example through the development of a national ocean policy or regional ocean policy
Quantification
- The ILO commitment covers in particular SDG 14 indicators 14.c.1, Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in UNCLOS, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans.
December 2030
Promoting the ratification and implementation of Convention No. 188: States with important fishing fleets, in all regions, will, with the assistance of the ILO, have put in place improved laws concerning living and working conditions in the fishing sector that are consistent with Convention No. 188. The goal will be ratification by States with at least 50% of all fishing vessels of 24 metres in length and over.
December 2030
Supervising the implementation of Convention No. 188: Ensure that countries having ratified the Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (No. 188) adopt and apply the laws, regulations or other measures require for its implementation and report to the ILO supervisory bodies.
December 2030
Providing technical assistance and training on the Work in Fishing Convention, 2007: Ensure that the Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (No. 188) is implemented worldwide in an efficient and coherent manner by delivering relevant training and technical assistance to fishers and fishing vessel owners representative organizations, labour ministries, fisheries ministries/agencies, maritime authorities (including flag and port State inspectors), lawyers in charge of preparing national regulations and persons responsible for recruitment and placement of fishers. Priority will be given to ILO member States playing an important role as flag States, port States and labour-supplying States. Work to assist States to implement Convention No. 188 will be coordinated with other ILO work to address fundamental principles and rights at work in the fishing sector.
Staff / Technical expertise
Headquarters, Field, and ITC staff in addition to external experts
Basic information
Time-frame: June 2017 - December 2030
Partners
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), International Organization of Employers (IOE), International Training Centre of the ILO (ITCILO)
Ocean Basins
Beneficiary countries
Other beneficaries
Contact information
Brandt Wagner, Head of unit, Senior Sector specialist: Shipping; fisheries; inland waterways, wagner@ilo.org, +41227997008
Geneva, Switzerland
Other SDGs
