Indonesia to ratify fisheries convention

The Jakarta Post

JAKARTA: Indonesia is to ratify a new International Labor Organization (ILO) convention on fisheries to provide protection for seafarers and fishermen and accelerate growth in the shipping and fisheries industries.

At a press conference Thursday, Manpower and Transmigration Minister Erman Suparno said that before ratifying the convention, the government would review all existing regulations to avoid any contradictions with the deal.

"All relevant ministries will meet to learn more about the ILO convention and to review existing regulations to make them in line with the convention," he said.

The convention -- the only one adopted during the International Labor Conference in Geneva held May 29 to June 15 -- regulates core labor standards, including minimum wages, working hours, training, workplace competence and medical examinations for seafarers and fishermen.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Seafarers Association (KPI) has slammed the government for failing to control the fisheries industry or provide protection for local and foreign workers in the sector.