Promoting the ratification and implementation of the ILO Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (No. 188), 2025–2027

The Partnership for Decent Work in Fisheries is a global development cooperation project that promotes the ratification and effective implementation of the ILO Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (No. 188). Despite the adoption of Convention No. 188 as the main international legal framework protecting fishers’ rights, ratification and implementation remain limited. Insufficient institutional coordination, fragmented enforcement mechanisms and low awareness among key stakeholders continue to hinder progress. These gaps contribute to persistent decent work deficits in the fishing sector, which remains one of the most hazardous and least regulated sectors worldwide. Many fishers still face unsafe working conditions, labour abuses, forced labour risks and limited access to social protection. These challenges are compounded by the vulnerability of migrant fishers and by gender-related barriers affecting women in fisheries, who remain largely invisible in policy and governance processes. The project strengthens political momentum, institutional capacity and stakeholder ownership to support sustainable progress towards ratification and implementation of Convention No. 188. It does so by raising global and regional awareness of fishers’ rights, facilitating tripartite dialogue among governments and employers’ and workers’ organizations, and strengthening the capacity of constituents via ILO support and tools, to give effect to the Convention. Implemented at the global level, the project supports knowledge-sharing, regional cooperation and targeted capacity-building for institutions and social partners involved in fisheries governance. It builds on broader international efforts to promote sustainable ocean economies and eliminate labour exploitation at sea. Through a pooled funding approach, the Partnership enables flexible implementation, coordinated outreach and scalable activities in response to stakeholder needs. Ultimately, the project contributes to strengthening the protection of fishers’ rights and advancing decent work as a core pillar of fair, safe and sustainable fisheries worldwide.

Project symbol

GLO/25/18/MUL

Admin unit

SECTOR/MARITRANS

Start date

28/11/2025

End date

30/06/2027

Total allocation

110081

Total expenditure

Status

Active

65285

Development Partners

Multi-donor funding for Promotion of ratification and implementation of C188

Country/Countries

Global

Outcomes

Outcome 1: Strong, modernized normative action for social justice