The Institute for Labor Studies recently concluded its workshop series validating the results of the survey on the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 188.

The workshops were held in National Capital Region for Luzon, Iloilo City for Visayas, and General Santos City for Mindanao. .

ILO Convention 188, otherwise known as the “Work in Fishing Convention,” was adopted at the 96th International Labour Conference (ILC) of the ILO in 2007. One of the objectives of the Convention is to ensure that those who work in the fishery sector have decent working conditions on board fishing vessels in relation to minimum requirements for conditions of service, accommodation and food, occupational safety and health protection, medical care, and social security. It applies to all fisherfolk and fishing vessels engaged in commercial fishing operations and supersedes the old conventions covering fisherfolk.

In the workshops, ILS researcher Brenalyn Peji presented the results of the survey showing the readiness of the Philippines and the fishery sector to ratify ILO Convention No. 188.

Peji’s survey results identified gaps in terms of practice particularly those concerning minimum wage, medical care, health protection, occupational safety, accident prevention, and social security.

Peji’s recommendations toward the ratification of the Convention include the continuing dialogues among stakeholders, capacity building for fisherfolk, strengthening of the Fishing Industry and Allied Services Tripartite Council, and the adoption of the Voluntary Code of Good Practices. The medium-term plan covers the extension of social protection to all fisherfolk and the harmonization of the role of various line agencies for the fishery sector.