The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the European Commission (EC) have launched the first major event under the new Partnership for Decent Work in Fisheries, bringing together governments, employers, workers’ organizations, international institutions, and civil society in Brussels to strengthen labour protection in the fishing sector. The meeting marked the first-ever gathering of the partnership and focused on turning growing political support into practical and technical discussions on how to improve working conditions in one of the world’s most hazardous and often overlooked industries.
The event centered on advancing the ratification and effective implementation of the ILO Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (No. 188), which sets minimum labour standards for fishers working on board fishing vessels. Fishing remains essential for food security, livelihoods, and coastal economies worldwide, yet many workers in the sector continue to face unsafe working environments, limited access to social protection and healthcare, and a heightened risk of abuse and exploitation. Convention No. 188 is seen as a key international framework for addressing these issues by promoting safer, healthier, and more dignified working and living conditions at sea.
During the launch, senior representatives from the ILO and partner institutions stressed the urgency of moving beyond commitments and translating them into action. They highlighted that decent work in fisheries is not only about labour rights, but also about ensuring basic protections such as clear employment terms, safe and healthy workplaces, access to medical care, and decent living conditions on board vessels. Speakers also underlined the growing recognition that labour standards in fisheries are closely linked to broader goals such as sustainable ocean governance, responsible fisheries management, and the development of a fair and resilient blue economy.
Representatives from the European Commission, France, and the United Kingdom emphasized the importance of international cooperation in promoting labour rights in the fishing sector. They noted that adopting and implementing Convention No. 188 can strengthen the sustainability of fisheries, protect the health and rights of fishers, support coastal communities, and create a more level playing field among fishing operators. The ILO’s Director-General also reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting member states and social partners in expanding protections for fishers and encouraged wider participation in the new partnership.
Alongside the high-level launch, the ILO and the European Commission also organized a two-day capacity-building workshop involving governments and social partners from eight targeted countries. The workshop focused on practical steps to advance ratification and implementation of the convention, while also helping participants develop a roadmap for national action. Discussions included labour inspection systems, compliance measures, and the role of social dialogue in building effective national frameworks for protecting workers in the fishing industry.
Participants also explored how implementing Convention No. 188 can deliver wider benefits beyond worker welfare. Stronger labour standards were presented as a way to improve safety at sea, reduce operational and reputational risks for businesses, and support responsible fishing practices by ensuring fairer competition across the sector. This reflects a broader understanding that better labour protections can contribute both to social justice and to the long-term sustainability and credibility of the fishing industry.
The Partnership for Decent Work in Fisheries was first announced at the 3rd United Nations Oceans Conference in Nice in June 2025 during a special event organized by France, the Environmental Justice Foundation, and the ILO. The partnership is being implemented by the ILO with initial funding from the European Commission and the governments of France, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. Through awareness-raising, tripartite cooperation, and capacity-building, it aims to help ensure that fishers worldwide benefit from safer, fairer, and more dignified working and living conditions.
