Indonesia Boosts Safe Migration and Decent Work in Blue Economy wiht New⁢ Programme Phase

jakarta, Indonesia – June 25, 2025 – Indonesia ⁣has underscored it’s ⁤dedication to fostering safe and equitable migration and ensuring decent ⁤work within the fishing and seafood supply chain with the official launch of the⁣ new phase of the ⁣Ship to Shore rights South-East Asia: Safe Migration for Decent‍ Work in the Blue economy programme.

The pivotal first⁣ National Project Advisory Committee (NPAC) Meeting convened in Jakarta today, bringing together key stakeholders from government institutions, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and civil ⁢society. Many attendees were returning members from the programme’s previous⁤ phase, signaling a strong, continued commitment ⁣to its objectives. Notably, the newly established Ministry ‍of Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection (KP2MI), formed in October 2024, participated for the ‍first time, marking ‍a meaningful expansion⁣ of collaborative efforts. The meeting successfully endorsed Indonesia’s national work plan and⁣ solidified agreements on joint actions to drive the programme forward.

Estiaety Haryani, Expert Staff for Institutional Relations, representing the Secretary General of the Ministry of Manpower, opened the proceedings by emphasizing the critical importance⁣ of unified action. “the NPAC Meeting⁤ is very vital to guide the implementation of the Programme for the next four years, and will help all stakeholders to support each other in implementing the work plan, for ⁢better protection of Indonesian workers in fishing and the seafood supply chain. This will help⁤ Indonesia strengthen its fishing industry to,” she stated.

Saiti Gusrini, ⁣representing the European Union Delegation for Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam and chairing the NPAC meeting, expressed the EU’s continued support. “We are pleased to continue supporting the Ship to Shore Rights South-East Asia Programme. The progress made in the previous phase has ⁤brought tangible⁣ benefits to Indonesian fishers, seafood processing workers, and migrant fishers employed⁢ abroad.With fisheries being a⁤ vital export commodity, we believe⁤ the programme will make a strategic contribution to strengthening⁢ the industry by promoting decent work across⁢ Indonesia’s Blue Economy,” Gusrini remarked.

The national work plan ⁤outlines a comprehensive strategy focused on⁤ four⁣ key objectives: ‍enhancing regional cooperation on⁢ labor migration, including ⁢through ASEAN collaboration; ‍strengthening legal and⁤ policy frameworks to bolster protections for fishers and seafood workers; promoting responsible buisness conduct via improved recruitment⁣ practices and due diligence; and empowering ⁣workers and their communities through vital support services such as legal aid, the promotion ⁤of collective bargaining agreements, the establishment of migrant resource centres, financial⁤ literacy programs, and reintegration services.

The programme will deliver specialized ‍technical assistance tailored to Indonesia’s diverse fishing and seafood supply chain, encompassing capture fisheries, aquaculture, and seafood processing. A ⁣critical focus will be placed on mitigating risks ⁣inherent in the labour migration process, including issues related to recruitment and placement, exploitation, ⁢and forced labour.

Ship to⁤ Shore Rights south-East asia: ‍Safe Migration for Decent Work in the blue Economy is a significant regional initiative generously funded by the European Union (EU). Implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in partnership with ‍the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the programme ⁣aims to champion safe labour⁤ migration and decent work for a enduring fish and seafood supply chain across South-East Asia. By addressing the unique vulnerabilities faced by ⁣workers in these sectors, the programme fosters ⁣coordinated responses across Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, and the philippines.