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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Economy & Trade

Indonesia Implements ILO-Based Rules for Fishing Vessel Crews

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Indonesia has implemented new regulations based on the ILO Convention No. 188 to govern crewing on fishing vessels.
  • The regulations establish international standards for crew welfare, including minimum age, required documents, and social security.
  • The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries is also enhancing crew capacity through training and has a complaint channel for labor disputes and human rights violations.

Indonesia's Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries has officially begun enforcing new regulations governing the crewing of fishing vessels, aligning with the International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention No. 188. This move, formalized through Ministerial Regulation No. 4 of 2026, aims to enhance labor governance within the capture fisheries sector and protect the rights of fishing vessel crew members.

The regulation adopts international standards for protecting fishing vessel crew members while strengthening labor governance in the capture fisheries sector.

— Lotharia LatifDirector General of Capture Fisheries explaining the purpose of the new ministerial regulation.

The regulation follows the ratification of ILO Convention No. 188 by Indonesia through Presidential Regulation No. 25 of 2026. It sets international standards for working conditions, occupational safety and health, living conditions aboard vessels, and social security protection for crew members. Key requirements include a minimum age of 18, possession of a Fisheries Seafarer's Book, competency and medical certificates, and enrollment in BPJS Ketenagakerjaan employment insurance.

They must also receive BPJS Ketenagakerjaan employment membership, a Maritime Employment Agreement (PKL), and be recruited through an official mechanism subject to strict oversight by the Fisheries Harbor Master.

— Lotharia LatifDirector General of Capture Fisheries detailing the requirements for fishing vessel crew members.

Director General of Capture Fisheries, Lotharia Latif, stated that crew members must also have a Maritime Employment Agreement (PKL) and be recruited through official channels under strict supervision. The ministry is actively working to improve crew capacity by conducting outreach on protection measures and preventing human trafficking at various fishing ports and educational institutions. Furthermore, the ministry facilitates Basic Safety Training for Fisheries (BSTF), which has benefited 3,584 crew members to date.

The ministry also facilitates Basic Safety Training for Fisheries (BSTF) program, which has so far been attended by 3,584 fishing vessel crew members, along with the publication of a Fisheries Seafarer's Book.

— Lotharia LatifDirector General of Capture Fisheries highlighting training initiatives for fishing vessel crews.

Since 2021, the ministry has operated a dedicated complaint channel to address labor disputes and alleged human rights violations among domestic fishing vessel crews. Latif assured that all reports are verified and followed up in coordination with relevant government bodies. Violations can result in administrative sanctions ranging from warnings to permit revocation, while criminal offenses are referred to law enforcement. The ministry cited the ongoing prosecution of an alleged human trafficking case involving the vessel KM Awindo 2A as an example of its commitment to enforcing these regulations.

He also ensured that every report received will be verified and followed up through coordination with relevant ministries and institutions.

— Lotharia LatifDirector General of Capture Fisheries commenting on the ministry's response to reported violations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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