The Philippines has reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to fostering safe and fair migration and ensuring decent work conditions within the vital fisheries and seafood supply chain. This pledge was underscored by the recent launch of the new phase of the “Ship to Shore Rights South-East Asia: Safe Migration for Decent Work in the Blue Economy” programme.
A critical Project Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting, held on June 4 at the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Central Office in Manila, brought together key stakeholders. Representatives from government institutions, employers’ and workers’ organizations, civil society, and international development partners convened to review the outcomes of a recent national consultation workshop, officially endorse the national work plan for 2025–2028, and map out the next steps for implementation.
The meeting commenced with strong endorsements for the programme’s continuation and a call for concerted action. Assistant Secretary Jerome Pampolina of the DMW, represented by Mr. Augusto San Diego III, Sea-Based Accreditation Bureau Director, welcomed the initiative, stating, “This programme is a timely and strategic initiative that aligns with our national priorities to protect and empower our sea-based workers.”
Khalid Hassan, Director of the ILO Country Office for the Philippines, highlighted the programme’s foundation in collaborative dialogue and evidence-based policy. “Through inclusive dialogue and evidence-based policymaking, we aim to create safer, fairer, and more sustainable conditions for all workers across the fish and seafood supply chain,” Mr. Hassan remarked. “The PAC will serve as a vital mechanism for ensuring that our work is grounded in the realities of those most affected, our migrant fishers and their communities.”
The newly endorsed national work plan is structured around four strategic objectives designed to enhance labour migration governance and worker protection:
- Strengthening Regional Cooperation: Including ASEAN-level guidance on labour inspection.
- Reinforcing National Legal and Policy Frameworks: Such as advancing the ratification of ILO Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (No. 188) and regulating recruitment practices.
- Promoting Responsible Business Conduct: Through technical assistance to manning agencies, development of fair recruitment guidelines, and integration of due diligence measures into business operations.
- Empowering Migrant Workers and Their Communities: Through improved access to legal aid, financial literacy, reintegration support, and collective bargaining.
Specifically in the Philippines, the programme will extend technical assistance to manning agencies, including the development of fair recruitment guidelines and support for due diligence measures. This will involve close collaboration with the Licensed Manning Agencies for Fishers (LMAF), an industry association representing government-licensed recruitment agencies that deploy Filipino fishers for overseas employment.
The meeting concluded with participants endorsing the proposed work plan and tentatively scheduling the next PAC meeting for June 2026. All stakeholders reiterated their strong commitment to the collaborative implementation of the programme’s goals.
