The International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) have formalised a new partnership aimed at strengthening the protection of human rights and labour standards for crews working on fishing vessels across Pacific Islands nations’ waters.
The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) comes at a critical time as the region works to address ongoing concerns around crew welfare and labour conditions in the fishing industry. The MOU was endorsed on 13th November 2025 by ILO assistant D-G and regional director for Asia and the Pacific Kaori Nakamura-Osaka and FFA D-G Noan David Pakop.
The partnership is grounded in key labour standards frameworks, including ILO Convention No. 188 on Work in Fishing, and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission’s (WCPFC) Conservation and Management Measure on Crew Labour Standards (CMM 2024-04), and FFA’s Harmonised Minimum Terms and Conditions (HMTC) for the employment of fishing vessels workers.
Under the MOU, ILO and FFA will work together through agreed contracts or Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) to combine resources, expertise, and training materials to support Pacific Island Countries.
Martin Wandera, Director of the ILO Office for Pacific Island Countries, said the organisation remains committed to supporting Pacific nations in their efforts to uphold decent work across the fisheries sector.
‘This cooperation framework with the FFA strengthens our efforts to ensure respect for international labour standards, promote skills development, and expand productive employment opportunities in the most important economic sector for Pacific people,’ he said.
This collaboration will focus on improving workplace safety, ensuring fair employment contracts and equitable wages, eliminating forced and child labour practices, reducing risks of human trafficking, improving accommodation and working conditions, supporting the ratification of ILO conventions, and guiding legislative reforms. The work will extend across all fishing vessel categories operating within WCPFC waters.
‘This MOU represents a pivotal achievement in protecting the rights and welfare of fishers,’ said FFA D-G Noan David Pakop.
‘It demonstrates our commitment to work with ILO in strengthening and implementing the FFA Second Phase of the Labour Standards on Fishing Vessel Project, in line with regional and international obligations, and reinforces the region’s position as a global advocate for ethical labour standards and sustainable fisheries development.’
This partnership is expected to improve labour conditions for fishers across the Pacific, enhance the capacity of Pacific Island Countries to identify and respond to labour rights violations, and foster stronger collaboration among national and regional stakeholders working to implement and uphold labour standards obligations.
The M0U will remain in place for two years, with the possibility of extending it if both parties agree.
