ETF welcomes another European country’s recent ratification of the C188 – Work in Fishing Convention. As a crucial fishing country within the EU fleet, Spain ratified this Convention on 23 February 2023, and its provisions will enter into force on 29 February 2024.
By ratifying the C188 – Work in Fishing Convention, signatory states ensure fishers’ wages and working conditions are protected, and those minimum decent standards are respected and implemented.
11 years ago, the European Social Partners in the Sea Fisheries Sector – ETF and Europêche – signed an agreement calling for the ratification and implementation of the ILO C188. The agreement was transposed into EU law through the EU Directive 2017/159, which brings into EU legislation decent working and living conditions for fishermen aboard EU vessels.
Throughout the years, the European Social Partners in the Sea Fisheries Sector – ETF and Europêche – intensified their joint efforts to promote wider ratification and enforcement of the ILO Work in Fishing Convention (C188) by European countries.
Considering the strong international dimension of the fishing sector, the ETF believes that EU Member States must ratify C188 Convention to create a global level playing field and ensure fair competition among fishing companies worldwide.
It can also be a positive incentive for third countries to start implementing social standards, as established in the Work in Fishing Convention. As they have a relevant share of the global fishing sector, they have a crucial role in promoting the respect of fishers’ rights and working conditions globally.
The ETF will continue its commitment to promoting decent working and living conditions in sea fisheries worldwide and urges more countries to ratify the ILO “Work in Fishing” Convention C188
