The Ship to Shore Rights South-East Asia: Safe Migration for Decent Work in the Blue Economy programme has officially extended its operations to Malaysia, aiming to strengthen labour rights and promote safe migration within the fishing, seafood processing, and aquaculture sectors. Implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and funded by the European Union (EU), the initiative represents a major step forward in improving working conditions in Malaysia’s blue economy, a sector that contributed nearly US$1 billion in seafood exports in 2023.
On 13 November 2025, government representatives, employers, workers, and civil society organizations gathered in Putrajaya to set key priorities for the programme’s 2025–2028 implementation period. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to protecting migrant workers’ rights and addressing the vulnerabilities prevalent in these industries. The meeting, co-organized by the ILO and Malaysia’s Ministry of Human Resources, emphasized collaboration between stakeholders to ensure lasting impact.
The partners agreed on an initial action plan to enhance regional and bilateral cooperation within ASEAN, align national laws with international labour standards—including the Work in Fishing Convention (No. 188)—and promote responsible business practices among employers. The plan also includes establishing migrant worker resource centres, managed by trade unions and civil society groups, to provide information, support, and advocacy services to workers.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Human Resources, Raja Mohd Nizam bin Raja Kamarulbahrin, Undersecretary of the International Division, emphasized Malaysia’s commitment to protecting the rights of foreign workers and the importance of strengthening regional cooperation. Similarly, Audrey-Anne Rochelemagne, Deputy Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Thailand, highlighted that extending the programme to Malaysia builds upon ongoing regional efforts to ensure fair treatment and safe employment in the blue economy.
Concluding the event, Tuomo Poutiainen, Deputy Regional Director of the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, welcomed the collaborative commitments to improve working conditions for migrant labourers in Malaysia’s seafood supply chain. He underscored that the new work plan directly targets key protection gaps affecting these workers.
The Ship to Shore Rights South-East Asia programme is a joint initiative of the EU and the UN, implemented by the ILO in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The project focuses on promoting safe migration, decent work, and sustainable practices in the fish and seafood industries across South-East Asia, addressing labour exploitation, rights abuses, and forced labour risks throughout the migration and employment cycle.
