Safety and Health: I LO Fishing Standards and Small-scale Fisheries Sebastian Mathew International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF)

Importance of small- scale fisheries 15 to 20 million fishers in the artisanal, small-scale sub-sector, 90%of them in Asia, followed by Africa and Latin America About 50% of powered un-decked vessels and 83% of total non-powered vessels are concentrated in Asia 45% of marine fish production for direct human consumption originate from small-scale fisheries

Changing nature of small-scale fisheries Fishing all over the EEZ and beyond Distinct categories of owner, skipper and worker on some small- scale fishing vessels Emergence of employer-employee relations

Proposed ILO Work in Fishing Convention years since the last ILO instrument in the fishing sector Tries to address the developments in the sector over the last 40 years Intend to reach a greater portion of the world’s fishers particularly those on board smaller vessels Was to be adopted at the June 2005 ILC To be put for vote again at the ILC in June 2007

Definition and Scope of the Convention “Commercial fishing” includes all but subsistence and recreational fishing in marine and inland waters, “Fishers” include persons working on board who are paid on the basis of a share of the catch Provisions to extend protection provided for fishers working on vessels 24 m and over, to fishers working on smaller vessels Provisions to exclude fishing vessels engaged in fishing operations in rivers, lakes and canals, as well as limited categories of fishers or fishing vessels

Structure of the Convention General principles; Minimum requirements for work on board fishing vessels; Conditions of service; Accommodation and food; Medical care; Health protection and social security; and Compliance and enforcement

Minimum requirements for work on board fishing vessels Minimum age and medical examination Minimum age provisions applicable to fishers on board all types of fishing vessels Requirement to hold a medical certificate for fishers on board vessels 24 m in length or more, or for vessels that stay at sea for more than three days

Minimum age Minimum age for work on board a fishing vessel to be 16 years, which could be 15 years for persons who are no longer subject to compulsory schooling Minimum age for assignment of activities on board fishing vessels that are likely to jeopardize the health, safety or morals of young persons is not less than 18 years Engagement of fishers under the age of 18 for work at night is prohibited, on health grounds

Medical certificate Mandatory for fishers who work on board a fishing vessel which is 24 m in length and over, or on a vessel that remains at sea more than three days:  the hearing and sight of the fisher are satisfactory  the fisher is not suffering from any medical condition likely to be aggravated by service at sea or to render the fisher unfit for such service or to endanger the health of other persons on board

Conditions of service Manning and hours of rest, crew list, fisher’s work agreement, repatriation, recruitment and placement, and payment of fishers Not necessarily applicable to SSF vessels that do not have distinct owner, skipper, worker categories Hours of rest and crew list are important for the safety and health of multi-day fishers

Accommodation and food Accommodation spaces and sanitary facilities (could make significant contribution to reducing fatigue and occupational diseases amongst fishers) Adequate supply of nutritional food and potable water in sufficient quality and quantity

Medical care, health protection, and social security At least one person on board who is qualified or trained in first aid and other forms of medical care Right to medical treatment ashore Right to be taken ashore in a timely manner for treatment in the event of serious injury or illness Social security protection to fishers under conditions no less fav. than those applicable to other workers, including employed and self-employed persons Access to medical care and compensation in the event of injury from occupational accident/disease

Conclusion The proposed Convention is more flexible as it moves from larger to smaller fishing vessels The proposed standards for the fishing sector have the potential to respond more meaningfully to the safety and health requirements of small-scale fishers in the context of rapidly changing nature of fishing operations The Convention, once adopted, would prove to be of greater relevance in progressively improving labour standards in small-scale fisheries

Thank you!