The International Labour Organisation has adopted Guidelines for Fair Labour Market Services for Migrant Fishers, providing a comprehensive framework to assist governments and social partners in promoting ethical recruitment and fair treatment of migrant fishers across the world.
The adoption of these guidelines, which clarify the respective roles and responsibilities of States and industry stakeholders involved in recruitment, work agreements, complaint mechanisms, enforcement measures and data collection, has been welcomed by European industry body Europêche, following he conclusion of the Meeting of Experts on Guidelines for Fair Labour Market Services for Migrant Fishers, held 27-31st October in Geneva.
‘I am proud to have contributed to the development of these important ILO Guidelines. I’m certain this joint work—together with workers’ representatives and governments, following a week of constructive debates—will greatly benefit the sector,’ said Cor Blonk, speaking for Europêche.
‘It provides stronger protection for migrant fishers worldwide and greater legal certainty for national authorities, employers and recruiting agencies. These Guidelines are a milestone for a fairer and more attractive global fishing industry, inspiring from the work of Social Partners in Europe.’
The Guidelines are complemented by eight practical tools to facilitate implementation and methodological guidance to strengthen data collection on migrant fishers, thereby improving policymaking and monitoring efforts.
Representing the employers’ group through the International Organization of Employers (IOE), Europêche members and experts actively contributed to the discussions, with Cor Blonk, spokesman for the employers in the meeting and Chair of the EU Social Dialogue Committee for Sea Fisheries (Pelagic Freezer-trawler Association – PFA), Rosa Meijide (ARVI), and Daniel Voces and Anne-France Mattlet (Europêche Secretariat) participating on behalf of the sector. Experts appreciated the guidance and support of Luis Rodrigo Morales (Director of Policy), Natalia Privee Boudeguer (Adviser), and Stéphanie Winet (Head of Migration Portfolio) from the IOE.
Europêche has consistently defended the full respect of social and labour rights for all fishers, including migrants, within ILO fora. Since the 2017 Tripartite Meeting on Issues Relating to Migrant Fishers, Europêche has called for stronger coordination among UN agencies, simplified procedures for lawful recruitment and harmonisation of safety and labour standards under the ILO C188 Convention.
