The International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) have cemented a new partnership aimed at enhancing the protection of human rights and labor standards for crews on fishing vessels within the waters of Pacific Island Countries. This significant Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was officially endorsed on November 13, 2025, by Kaori Nakamura, ILO Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, alongside FFA Director General, Noan David Pakop.
This collaboration arises at a pivotal moment as the region seeks to tackle persistent concerns regarding crew welfare and labor conditions in the fishing sector. The MOU is anchored in essential labor standards frameworks, notably the ILO Convention No. 188 concerning Work in Fishing, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission’s (WCPFC) Conservation and Management Measure on Crew Labour Standards (CMM 2024-04), and FFA’s Harmonised Minimum Terms and Conditions (HMTC) for the employment of fishing vessel workers.
Through this MOU, ILO and FFA will collaborate on various initiatives supported by contracts or Memoranda of Agreement (MOA), pooling resources, expertise, and training materials to aid Pacific Island Countries. Martin Wandera, the Director of the ILO Office for Pacific Island Countries, emphasized the organization’s commitment to assist Pacific nations in promoting decent work in the fisheries sector. “This cooperation framework with the FFA strengthens our efforts to ensure respect for international labor standards, promote skills development, and expand productive employment opportunities in this vital economic sector,” he stated.
The partnership aims to enhance workplace safety, enforce fair employment contracts, ensure equitable wages, and eradicate forced and child labor practices. It also focuses on reducing risks associated with human trafficking, improving living and working conditions, supporting the ratification of ILO conventions, and guiding legislative reforms. This initiative will cover all fishing vessel categories operating within WCPFC waters.
FFA Director General Noan David Pakop heralded the MOU as a significant step forward in safeguarding the rights and welfare of fishers. He noted that it underscores the commitment to strengthen and implement the FFA’s Labour Standards on Fishing Vessel Project, aligning with regional and international obligations, and fortifying the region’s stance as a global champion for ethical labor standards and sustainable fisheries development.
This partnership promises to enhance labor conditions for fishers across the Pacific, empower Pacific Island Countries to effectively address labor rights violations, and strengthen collaboration among national and regional stakeholders dedicated to upholding labor standards obligations. The MOU is set to remain effective for two years, with an option for extension upon mutual agreement. This initiative not only aims to safeguard the rights of fishers but also encourages a pathway towards sustainable and ethical fisheries management in the Pacific region.
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