KKP Supports Ratification Of ILO Convention 188 To Protect Fisheries Workers

KKP fully supports the ratification of the 18.8 International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention to protect fisheries workers. (Photo: Doc. KKP)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) fully supports the ratification of the 18.8 International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention. Director General of Capture Fisheries of the KKP Lotharia Latif said the protection was very important, considering working on a fishing boat was one of the high-risk jobs.

"Not only from natural factors, but also from the work environment," Lotharia said in an official statement quoted on Friday, October 3.

Lotharia explained that the ILO Convention 188 has provided a framework for the standard of working properly for fishing crews and mandates every country to align national laws with internationally applicable norms.

"Various problems are often faced by the crew of fishing vessels in Indonesia, such as recruitment and placement that are not in accordance with procedures to exploitation while working on a ship," he said.

The KKP has held a high leadership level meeting to discuss the ratification of the ILO 188 Convention in Jakarta on September 30, 2025.

Gradually, the KKP has adopted several provisions of the ILO Convention 188 in regulations, namely the presence of Government Regulation (PP) Number 27 of 2021 concerning the Implementation of the Marine and Fisheries Sector.

In more detail, the derivative rules of the PP are contained in the Regulation of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (Permen KP) Number 33 of 2021 concerning Log Books for Fishing, Monitoring on Fishing Vessels and Fishing Transport Vessels, Inspection, Testing and Marking of Fishing Vessels and Procedures for Handling Fisheries.

"We regulate the management of the crew of the fishing boat starting from the rights and responsibilities of the ship owner, the captain and crew of the fishing boat themselves," he said.

In addition, matters for sea work agreements, regulation of working hours and break hours, proper accommodation, health protection, safety, social security to wages are also regulated.

According to Latif, the KKP continues to intensify socialization and provide basic safety training and improve skills. Then, provide complaint channels related to disputes, disputes and cases experienced by fisheries crews since 2021.

"KKP also facilitates the repatriation of fisheries crews who are victims of fraud, it is suspected that victims are not criminalized by trafficking in persons to return fishermen crossing borders from neighboring countries," he concluded.

To note, this ratification is also in line with President Prabowo Subianto's directives in a statement during the 2025 commemoration of International Labor Day (May Day).

Presiden menyebut, ratifikasi Konvensi ILO 188 sebagai salah satu isu strategis akan dibahas oleh Dewan Kesejahteraan Buruh Nasional (DKBN) yang akan segera dibentuk.

DKBN akan terdiri atas tokoh-tokoh buruh nasional, serikat pekerja dan pemangku kepentingan dari berbagai sektor ketenagakerjaan.

The President said that the ratification of the ILO 188 Convention as one of the strategic issues would be discussed by the National Labor Welfare Council (DKBN) which will soon be formed.

DKBN will consist of national labor figures, trade unions and stakeholders from various labor sectors.