Fishworkers rights respect should contribute to alleviate illicit fishing activities

FAO, in partnership with ILO, IMO and the Vatican,  promotes dialogue to ensure decent work in fisheries and end slave and forced labour in fishing sector

21 May 2019, Mahé - Seychelles – After a first event held in the Philippines grouping countries from Asian region on March 2019, the second of the series is now taking place in Seychelles for African countries. The Mahé Regional Dialogue on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, Decent work and safety at Sea will be the opportunity for the ten countries (Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Reunion (France), Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Zanzibar) to identify together issues to be addressed and actions to be taken for #decentwork in #fisheries.

Estimating global employment in fisheries and aquaculture is complex, due to the extensive number of pre-harvest, harvest and post-harvest activities associated with fish value chains. Jobs range from the production and sale of inputs (vessels, fishing gear, bait, etc.) to the farming, harvesting, processing, marketing and distribution of fish. It is important to recognize that where poverty exists in communities that depend on fishing and aquaculture, it is of a multidimensional nature - caused not only by decent work deficits but also by other factors that impede the full enjoyment of human rights, including civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. However, fisheries and aquaculture present many labour-related challenges specifically linked to the characteristics of the sector, including prevailing informality, seasonality, remoteness, and hazardous nature of work, as well as value chain complexity. Moreover, practices such as illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing are closely linked with labour abuse, including exploitation of migrant workers.

"It is important to follow up on this work at international, regional and national levels, and it's important to have stakeholders from governments, seafood industry, fishworker organizations and unions from ten different East African countries working alongside us in the Seychelles to discuss concrete next steps to achieving decent work in the sector throughout the Western Indian Ocean" said FAO's Felix Martin. Promoting decent work in fisheries and aquaculture is an important strategy that can lead to more effective fisheries management and responsible aquaculture, while also improving livelihoods and food security.

Furthermore, the sustainable development goals include a dedicated goal (SDG 8) to “Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.” SDG 8 articulates different targets, which include eliminating the worst forms of child labour, eradicating forced labour, and ending modern slavery and human trafficking (8.7). Decent work is explicitly included, together with the right to food, under the human rights based approach criteria for sustainability.

Fish: a “cash crop” providing employment and income

Jobs in fisheries and aquaculture and associated fish value chains range from the production and sale of inputs (including fishing gear; boat construction and maintenance; bait; and aquaculture seeds and feed) and the actual catching, farming and harvesting of fish, to fish processing, marketing and distribution. Production takes place in and around inland and marine waters, while fish marketing and distribution can take fishworkers far from the original fish harvesting point.

FAO’s Scoping study on decent work and employment in fisheries and aquaculture highlighted that assuming that on average each job-holder provides for three dependents or family members, it is estimated that overall, fisheries and aquaculture contributes to the livelihoods of 10–12 percent of the world’s population.

Decent work stands on four pillars: (Pillar 1) Employment creation and enterprise development; (Pillar 2) Social protection; (Pillar 3) Standards and rights at work; and (Pillar 4) Governance and social dialogue. Decent work involves opportunities that deliver a fair income, a secure workplace and social protection for families; good prospects for personal development and social integration; freedom for people to express their concerns and to participate in the decisions that affect their lives; and equality of opportunity and treatment for all women and men.

For the ten countries, major part of coastal population live from fisheries’ activities. For the Indian ocean islands – Indian ocean commission (IOC) members - , fishery represents a great part of the countries’ GDP. Fight against IUU is in the focus of these islands, as in parallel with the event in Mahe, a third meeting of IOC countries on maritime security is underway in Madagascar to set up a combat strategy against maritime crimes (trafficking in drugs, precious woods, humans, etc., and piracy which is declining thanks to the interventions already carried out since 2013)

It is important to recognize that where poverty exists in communities dependent on fishing and aquaculture, it is of a multidimensional nature. It is caused not only by decent work deficits, but also by other factors that impede the full enjoyment of human rights, including civil, political, social and cultural rights. Fishworker communities are commonly located in areas with limited or disadvantaged access to health, education and other social services.