Tripartite Fishing Committee Holds Engagement on ILO Convention 188

Accra: The National Tripartite Work in Fishing (NTWF) Committee has held a stakeholder engagement to identify and address lapses in the Industrial Fishing sector. This follows the coming into force of the International Labour Organization's (ILO) Work in Fishing Convention (C188), which was ratified on August 28, 2024. The convention, effective from August 28, 2025, aims to ensure safer and fairer working conditions for fishers in the country's fishing industry.According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Awudu Inusah, Chairman of the Committee, stated that the engagement sought to build consensus among stakeholders and aimed at addressing challenges with the implementation of the ratification by some stakeholders. The committee, consisting of representatives from the regulator, employers, and workers, plans to implement the provisions of the convention. The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) will issue Maritime Labour Certificates to vessels that meet the required labour standards, which are necessary for obtaining a f ishing license from the Fisheries Commission.Mr. Michael Angmor, the General Secretary of the National Union of Seamen, Port, and Allies Workers, noted that while the convention had fully come into force, some implementation stages had already begun. He highlighted that the implementation included providing training and support to stakeholders from the GMA, in collaboration with the ILO, resulting in positive outcomes and significant improvements in labour conditions on board vessels. The ratification implementation is expected to formalize recruitment processes, enhance living and working conditions for fishers, particularly those on vessels above 24 meters in length, improve safety measures, and ensure access to social security protection for fishers and their families.Mr. Angmor emphasized the committee's goal to achieve total compliance with the convention by October 2025, urging vessel owners and operators to meet the required standards. He warned that sanctions would apply to those who fail to meet the compliance deadline.Mr. Jerome Selorm Deamesi, a Board Member of the Ghana Industrial Trawlers Association (GITA), expressed concerns that while the convention aimed to improve fishers' living and working conditions, it placed some disadvantages on employers. He explained that employers are often responsible for the training and certification of employees and called for measures to protect employers' interests.Ghana's ratification of the ILO Work in Fishing Convention underscores its commitment to promoting decent work and protecting fishers' rights, addressing long-standing challenges in ensuring adequate protection for its workforce in the fishing industry.