Ratification of ILO Convention Protects Indonesian Seafarers on Foreign Vessels
JAKARTA - The Minister of Protection for Indonesian Migrant Workers (P2MI), Mukhtarudin, stated that the Presidential Regulation (Perpres) on the Ratification of International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 188, signed by President Prabowo Subianto, will protect Indonesian seafarers (ABK) working on foreign vessels.
“Indonesia’s diplomatic position on the international stage becomes much more solid in pressing foreign ship-owning countries to comply with international work standards,” Mukhtarudin said in a press release received by Kompas.com on Friday (1/5/2026).
First, enhanced legal protection closes gaps in national regulations, so ABK on foreign vessels now have a binding international legal basis to demand their rights.
Second, humane working standards are created through written employment contracts, adequate rest hours, and access to proper social security and health guarantees.
Finally, it promotes recruitment transparency by tightening oversight of placement agencies to eradicate fraud and human trafficking in the maritime sector.
“The ratification of ILO 188 is a historic milestone in legal documents, a strong international umbrella of protection for our family fighters at sea. This is the answer to the longing of ABK for justice and equal protection,” Mukhtarudin stated.
He emphasised that the Ministry of P2MI will soon coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to ensure that Perpres No. 25 of 2026 is implemented effectively.
“We hear the voices of labour and environmental activists. This ratification is a big initial step,” he said.
“Our next task is to ensure that every provision of this international agreement is realised in the form of real protection on the ship’s deck, not just on paper,” he added.
Previously reported, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto gave a gift to workers on this May Day occasion in the form of the ratification of an international convention on seafarers.
Prabowo stated that he had signed the Perpres on the Ratification of International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 188.
“There is one more gift for workers. I have just signed Presidential Regulation No. 25 of 2026 on the Ratification of International Labour Organization Convention No. 188 to ensure protection and welfare for fishery vessel crew,” Prabowo said at the 2026 May Day celebration at Monas this morning.
In addition to the ILO convention on seafarers, Prabowo explained that the government will also inaugurate 1,386 fishing villages this year, 2026.
According to him, for the first time in Indonesia’s history, fisherfolk are being managed by the state.
“Next year we will open 1,500 fishing villages. The year after that 1,500, the year after that 1,500,” he explained.
“All of them will eventually cover approximately six million fisherfolk whose lives we will improve, along with their children and wives, more than 20 million Indonesian people will have better lives. Their lives will be prosperous,” Prabowo continued.