RI Applies ILO Convention 188 through the New Rules for Fishing Vessel Crews

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has implemented the provisions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 188 on Work in the Fishing Sector through the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Regulation No. 4 of 2026 concerning the Management of Fishing Vessels.

Director General of Fisheries Capture KKP Lotharia Latif in a press statement in Jakarta, Sunday, said the regulation was a follow-up to the issuance of Presidential Regulation Number 25 of 2026 which ratified ILO Convention Number 188.

He said the regulation adopted international standards in the protection of fishing crew while strengthening labor governance in the capture fisheries sector.

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

Lotharia explained that through the minister's regulation, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries has set a number of requirements for fishing crew, including being at least 18 years old, having a Fisheries Sailor Book, competency certificate, health certificate.

In addition, BPJS Employment membership, Sea Labor Agreement (PKL), and are placed through official mechanisms that are strictly supervised by the Fisheries Harbormaster.

In addition to strengthening regulations, Lotharia said the KKP also continues to improve the capacity of fishing vessel crews through socialization of crew protection and prevention of human trafficking (TPPO) in various fishing ports, fishing centers, education and training institutions, and the origin of the crew.

KKP also facilitates the Basic Safety Training Fisheries (BSTF) training which has so far been attended by 3,584 fishing crew members and the publication of the Fisheries Sailor Book.

"We also strengthen synergy with various ministries and agencies, including the TPPO Task Force, the National Police of the Republic of Indonesia (Polri), the Ministry of Manpower, ILO, and BPJS Employment," he said.

He said the collaboration was carried out through data exchange, joint inspections, monitoring of compliance with decent working standards, to taking action against alleged TPPO, illegal recruitment, and exploitation of fishing crew.

Since 2021, Lotharia said, the KKP has provided a complaint channel for domestic fishing crew to handle labor relations disputes and alleged violations of rights.

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

"If violations are found, we will impose sanctions in accordance with our authority, including revoking the ship's operating permit. Meanwhile, if criminal elements are found, we will hand over the process to law enforcement," said Lotharia.

He added that administrative sanctions for violations can take the form of coaching, written warnings, temporary suspension of activities, administrative fines, to the freezing and revocation of ship operating permits.

Meanwhile, if criminal elements are found, their handling will be handed over to law enforcement officials.

As a form of enforcement of rules, the KKP exemplified the handling of the alleged TPPO case against 21 prospective fishermen on the Awindo 2A KM which had been processed through the Denpasar District Court.

According to Lotharia, these various efforts are part of the government's commitment to ensure that capture fisheries activities are not only sustainable in terms of managing fish resources, but also guarantee protection for crew members as the main actors in the fisheries sector.