European Commission attempts to lower crew labour standards

The European Commission plans to submit a text on crew labour standards to the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) which will be discussed in the next days at the IOTC meeting for 13-17 April. The European Social Partners for Sea Fisheries jointly call on the European Commission to withdraw this proposal from submission to the IOTC.

The proposal mirrors a text adopted by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) in 2024, which was introduced by other WCPFC members. The Social Partners are deeply concerned that the provisions intended to improve crew labour standards in this proposal fall below the standards set by the International Labour Organization (ILO) C188 “Work in Fishing” Convention, STCW-F, the Torremolinos Convention and UNCLOS.

Among the controversial points are the following items:

• In the event of a serious injury or death of a crew member, the vessel is not required to cease fishing immediately but only “as soon as possible”.
• Working time regulations are entirely absent.
• The obligation to allow crews to disembark regularly is subject to the laws and regulations of the flag State, potentially limiting crew members’ rights.
• The absence of any obligation of medical care on board.

The European Social Partners emphasize that the provisions set out by the ILO must be considered the absolute minimum to ensure decent work in the fisheries sector.  European Union made a commitment to a minimum working standard through various binding policies which the new proposed text threatens to undermine.

The Social Partners were neither consulted nor involved in the drafting of this proposal. Read the full letter here.