Ratification of ILO 188 Seen as a Momentum to Strengthen Protection for Indonesian Seafarers, Implementation is Crucial

Fri, 15 May 2026, 16:52 WIB | By Cahya Mulyana | Source: MEDIA_INDONESIA | Social Policy

The ratification of ILO Convention No. 188 concerning Work in Fishing is considered a significant step in strengthening protection for Indonesian maritime workers. However, various parties believe that technical implementation in the field remains a major challenge to ensure that the policy has a real impact on fishing vessel crews and migrant workers.

This was discussed in a national discussion entitled “Maritime Sector Workers: Challenges and Solutions” organized by Stella Maris Batam together with the Working Committee of the Indonesian Catholic Society Forum (BP FMKI) at the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference Building, Jakarta, Wednesday (13/5).

The forum was held after the government ratified ILO Convention 188 through Presidential Regulation No. 25 of 2026 on May 1, 2026. This regulation is expected to be the basis for strengthening the protection of fishing vessel workers, starting from working conditions, wages, safety, communication access, to complaint mechanisms.

Maritime Workers Still Vulnerable to Exploitation

Executive Secretary of the Commission for Justice, Peace, and Pastoral Care for Migrant Perantau KWI, RD Marthen L.P. Jenarut, said that migrant workers in the maritime sector are still in a vulnerable position to exploitation, including the risk of human trafficking.

He emphasized that this ratification is an important political step that has long been pushed by various parties, and now it is expected to be able to provide real protection from the state.

“The hope is that migrant workers in the maritime sector will truly receive guarantees of protection from the state,” he said.

Encouraging Improvement in Governance and Communication Access

The Director General of Protection of the Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Agency, Rinardi, said that his party is ready to strengthen the transformation of governance for the placement of migrant workers in the maritime sector.

One of the main focuses is to increase communication access for crew members, including the use of technology such as WiFi on ships to reduce the isolation of workers at sea.

In addition, the complaint system will also be strengthened to be simpler and more integrated.

“BP2MI is ready to be a one-stop complaint center for all fishing vessel crew members,” he said.

DPR’s Attention: Clear Implementing Regulations are Needed

Member of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Yulius Setiarto, said that the ratification of ILO 188 is an important advancement, but it still leaves a big job in the implementation stage.

He emphasized the need for detailed technical regulations so that protection does not stop at the normative level.

“With the Presidential Regulation, the next challenge is more detailed technical work that must be prepared together,” he said.

Cases of Seafarers Still Recurring

Director of Stella Maris Batam, RD Ansensius Guntur, said that cases of violations against Indonesian sailors still often occur, ranging from unpaid wages, forced labor, fraud, to criminalization.

The Stella Maris institution, which has long been involved in assisting sailors, recorded an increase in cases in the last two years. Last year, 20 cases were recorded, while this year it increased to 58 cases, mostly related to wage arrears.

He also said that the total arrears reached around 287,000 US dollars, all of which have been successfully resolved. In addition, there are also cases of alleged criminalization, including sailors who are suspected of being trapped in carrying illegal goods.

Protection Must Reach the Field Level

According to Stella Maris’ records, Indonesian sailors are one of the largest groups receiving assistance, with more than 10,000 workers from Indonesia out of around 70,000 cases handled each year at various service centers.

A number of recommendations were also submitted, ranging from accelerating the implementing regulations of Presidential Regulation 25 of 2026, strengthening the one-stop governance system, to increasing communication access standards on ships.

In addition, it is also necessary to strengthen the curriculum for safe migration, psychological assistance for workers’ families, and strengthen maritime diplomacy at the regional level.

“This ratification should not stop as a legal document. Protection must truly be felt down to the ships and the workers’ families,” said Ansensius. (Cah/P-3)

PRESIDENT Prabowo Subianto used the momentum of International Labor Day or May Day 2026 to announce new policies targeting the fisheries sector.

This convention is designed as an answer to the widespread practice of forced labor, exploitation, and human trafficking in the global fisheries sector.

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