ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – The Government of Indonesia has officially issued Presidential Regulation No. 25 of 2026 on the Protection of Indonesian Fishing Vessel Crew, marking the country’s ratification of ILO Convention No. 188.
Announced directly by President Prabowo Subianto on International Workers’ Day (May Day), the regulation underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening protections for fishing vessel crews across Indonesia.
The ratification of ILO Convention No. 188 represents a significant milestone in advancing decent work standards in the fisheries sector—an industry long recognized for its high risks and complex labor protection challenges, stemming not only from natural conditions but also from demanding working environments.
Through this Presidential Regulation, the state guarantees comprehensive protection for fishing vessel crews, covering the entire employment cycle—from recruitment processes and the definition of rights and obligations, to occupational safety and health, as well as clearer and more humane employment relationships.
“Following the President’s announcement last May Day regarding the ratification, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries moved swiftly. We carried out a series of strategic actions in collaboration with various stakeholders, and we are grateful that this has now been realized,” said Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, in an official statement in Jakarta on Friday, May 1, 2026.
Minister Trenggono added that this ratification constitutes a concrete step toward strengthening labor governance in Indonesia’s capture fisheries sector.
Previously, the government had also adopted the international standards of the STCW-F 1995 Convention along with its amendments, which serve as a key foundation for improving protection and ensuring decent working conditions for fishing vessel crews.
In line with this effort, the Ministry has issued a new regulation on the management of fishing vessel crewing through Ministerial Regulation No. 4 of 2026, which incorporates the provisions of ILO Convention No. 188.
“Through Ministerial Regulation No. 4/2026, the state is not only preparing resilient seafarers, but also ensuring that their rights and obligations are protected, their labor is valued, and their welfare is improved,” he emphasized.
Director General of Capture Fisheries, Lotharia Latif, further noted that the Ministry is currently in the process of ratifying the IMO Cape Town Agreement 2012, aimed at strengthening fishing vessel safety standards in terms of design, construction, and operation.
“This step is expected to provide more optimal protection for fishing vessel crews,” he stated.
Key provisions adopted under the regulation to enhance protection include stricter oversight of labor standards—such as a minimum working age of 18, competency requirements, medical certification, social security coverage, formal sea work agreements, and official crew documentation.
The regulation also reinforces governance over recruitment and placement processes, including the role of licensed crewing agencies.
In addition, the regulation mandates clear and legally binding sea employment agreements to ensure legal certainty in the event of disputes between parties.
These agreements cover the rights and obligations of both crew members and vessel owners, the obligation of vessel owners to provide employment social security, fair and transparent wage systems, reasonable working hours and rest periods, occupational safety and health standards, provision of food and accommodation, as well as repatriation procedures fully borne by vessel owners.
Following the issuance of Presidential Regulation No. 25 of 2026, the Ministry will immediately conduct nationwide outreach in coordination with the Ministry of Manpower and relevant institutions to inform fishers and fisheries business operators across Indonesia. (AT Network)
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