The International Labour Organization (ILO) has achieved a major milestone in protecting migrant fishers’ rights with the adoption of the Guidelines for Fair Labour Market Services for Migrant Fishers on October 31, 2025. These are the first-ever global guidelines designed to promote fairness, transparency, and accountability in the recruitment of migrant fishers across the world. The move represents a key step in the ILO’s ongoing mission to advance decent work and strengthen labour protections for all fishers.
The new Guidelines were developed after five days of tripartite discussions at the ILO headquarters in Geneva from October 27–31, 2025. Representatives of governments, fishing vessel owners, and fishers’ organizations collaborated to create a set of practical recommendations aimed at ensuring decent working conditions and fair recruitment processes. These Guidelines complement the Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (No. 188), which establishes minimum standards for living and working conditions in the fishing industry.
According to Julie Carlton, Chairperson of the meeting, the Guidelines will help governments, employers, and workers implement policies that promote fair labour market practices and enhance protection for migrant fishers—a particularly vulnerable workforce. Frank Hagemann, Director of the ILO’s Sectoral Policies Department, added that the process demonstrated the effectiveness of tripartite dialogue and delivered practical tools to strengthen accountability in recruitment systems at a time when solidarity with migrant workers is increasingly needed.
The Guidelines outline practical measures such as clarifying responsibilities among stakeholders, establishing liability mechanisms and financial safeguards in cases of abandonment, and defining fair procedures for transfer at sea and shore leave. They also introduce model agreements for fishers and recruiters, safeguards against deceptive recruitment practices, accessible complaint mechanisms, and provisions to strengthen cross-border cooperation among national authorities to prevent exploitation and abuse.
The Workers’ Group described the new Guidelines as a landmark achievement for migrant fishers, emphasizing their potential to transform recruitment practices in one of the most challenging and least regulated industries. Johnny Hansen, Vice-Chair of the Workers’ Group, stated that the new framework would help ensure that recruitment is fair, rights are respected, and fishers worldwide can work with dignity and safety.
Employers’ representatives also welcomed the outcome, emphasizing collaboration and shared responsibility. Cor Blonk, Vice-Chair of the Employers’ Group, highlighted that employers are committed to fair recruitment and decent working conditions and that the Guidelines offer balanced, practical tools to help all actors meet their obligations.
From the perspective of governments, the adoption marks a significant step toward stronger international oversight and cooperation. Shaun Rogers, Vice-Chair of the Governments’ Group, noted that the Guidelines provide a collaborative framework that allows governments, employers, and workers to work together to ensure that recruitment and employment practices remain lawful, fair, and humane.
