A new survey by the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has revealed that Indonesian fishing crew members continue to face serious labor rights violations, including forced labor, lack of written contracts, excessive working hours, and inadequate access to social protection.

The survey, conducted between November 2023 and September 2024, interviewed 3,396 fishing crew members across 18 ports in Indonesia. It aimed to assess working conditions on fishing vessels by measuring key indicators such as recruitment processes, employment status, wages, working hours, occupational safety and health (OSH), social security coverage, freedom of association, and the prevalence of child labor and forced labor.

According to the findings, over 90 percent of fishing crew members do not have written employment contracts, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and wage theft. The lack of formal agreements means many workers are unaware of their rights and obligations, increasing the risk of abuse.

"These findings reinforce the urgent need for stronger labor protections in the fishing sector. Reliable data like this survey is crucial in designing effective policies and interventions to ensure decent working conditions," Gita Lingga, ILO Communications Staff, said in a statement on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.

Forced labor and human trafficking

One of the most alarming discoveries of the study was the prevalence of forced labor. The survey identified nearly 1,000 fishing crew members – 1.5 percent of all those surveyed – working under conditions that meet the criteria for forced labor. These individuals were subjected to confiscation of passports and seafarer’s books, threats of violence or job loss, and wage deductions. Many of them were also unable to leave their jobs due to debt bondage, either to vessel owners, captains, or recruitment agents.

In addition to these forced labor cases, illegal recruitment practices were found to be widespread. The study revealed that many crew members were recruited informally, without proper documentation or adherence to national and international labor standards, including the ILO Work in Fishing Convention (No. 188) of 2007.

Long working hours and lack of safety measures

Excessive working hours were another major issue identified in the survey. Many fishing crew members worked prolonged shifts with irregular or insufficient rest periods, making it difficult to differentiate between work time and rest time. The report highlighted that these extreme working conditions led to fatigue, increased the risk of accidents, and created hazardous work environments.

Safety concerns were also prominent, with many fishing workers facing dangerous working conditions, limited access to proper personal protective equipment (PPE), and a lack of emergency protocols. Risks included exposure to harsh weather, mechanical hazards, and onboard conflicts.

"Ensuring better safety conditions for fishing crew members is not only a matter of human rights but also essential for sustaining the industry in the long run," the report stated.

Low wages and unfair compensation

The survey also examined payment structures in the fishing industry, revealing significant income instability among workers. In many cases, crew members were paid under a catch-sharing system, where wages were dependent on the success of the fishing trip. This system resulted in financial uncertainty, as poor catch yields led to lower earnings.

Only 4.5 percent of surveyed fishing workers received regular wages or a combination of fixed wages and additional earnings, while the majority relied solely on catch-based income. This payment model meant that workers shared business risks with vessel owners, often without any financial safety net.

The survey further exposed serious gaps in social security coverage. A staggering 71 percent of fishing crew members were not enrolled in labor-related social security programs (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan), and more than half had no access to health insurance (BPJS Kesehatan). The lack of coverage leaves many workers financially vulnerable in the event of injuries, illnesses, or job losses.

Freedom of association also remained a challenge, with the survey indicating that only 10 percent of fishing workers were members of labor unions. Furthermore, Indonesia has yet to establish a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) specifically for fishing crew members, which could provide better regulation of wages, working hours, and working conditions.

Child labor

The report also raised concerns about child labor in the fishing sector. It found that approximately 0.7 percent of surveyed workers − equivalent to over 600 children − were engaged in child labor at the 18 ports covered in the study. Moreover, 47 percent of all surveyed workers had started working in the fishing industry before the age of 18, suggesting that child labor in the sector may be more prevalent than officially reported.

Based on these findings, the ILO and BRIN outlined ten priority actions that stakeholders should consider to strengthen labor protections in Indonesia’s fishing sector:

              1            Aligning national laws with international labor standards, particularly those related to decent work in the fishing industry.

              2            Enforcing fair recruitment practices and preventing illegal hiring methods.

              3            Reducing informality by ensuring all fishing workers have formal employment contracts.

              4            Enhancing worker skills and technological literacy to improve employment opportunities.

              5            Raising awareness about social security benefits and making registration easier for fishing crew members.

              6            Improving occupational safety and health (OSH) regulations on fishing vessels.

              7            Promoting union membership and collective bargaining to strengthen worker representation.

              8            Taking immediate steps to eliminate child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking.

              9            Developing trade agreements that support decent work and fair labor practices.

              10          Enhancing data coordination among government agencies to improve labor policy oversight.

Collective action

Simrin Singh, ILO Director for Indonesia and Timor-Leste, emphasized that the data should serve as a foundation for policy improvements and concrete action.

"As a maritime nation, Indonesia’s fishing industry plays a crucial role in its economy. The findings of this survey underscore the need for urgent measures to protect workers, eliminate forced labor, and enhance productivity through better working conditions," Singh stated.

Meanwhile, Nawawi, Head of BRIN’s Population Research Center, urged the Indonesian government to use the survey results as a reference for improving labor governance in the fishing industry.

"This survey provides valuable insights that can help create better policies for fishing crew members and promote sustainable labor practices," he said.