Highlighting the urgent need to address human and labour risks and enhance global competitiveness, the International Labour Organization (ILO), with support from the Government of Japan, convened the first-ever National Industry Dialogue for a Responsible and Sustainable Aquaculture Supply Chain in the Philippines. The landmark two-day event, held in Makati City on October 27–28, 2025, brought together around 150 representatives from government, workers’, and employers’ organizations to forge a unified path toward resilience, sustainability, and decent work in the nation’s vital aquaculture sector.
Aquaculture is a crucial, yet often underrecognized, pillar of the Philippine economy, contributing over half of the country’s total fisheries production. The Philippines ranks as the world’s top seaweed producer and 12th in overall aquaculture output. However, the sector faces persistent decent work deficits, including informal employment, low and unstable incomes, unsafe working conditions, and child labour. These challenges hinder the sector’s potential to provide quality jobs and sustainable livelihoods amid shifting global political and economic tensions.
His Excellency, Endo Kazuyo from the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, underscored the importance of the discussions: “Japan is proud to be among the largest voluntary contributors to the ILO for the Asia-Pacific region… Today’s discussions among stakeholders can foster an improved quality of life for workers in aquaculture. As a key Philippine industry, better practices in this sector are sure to drive more sustainable growth for the entire Philippine economy.”
Khalid Hassan, Director of the ILO Country Office for the Philippines, emphasized that the industry must respond to global market demands. “As global demand for ethically sourced seafood grows, the industry must meet rising expectations for transparency, Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) due diligence, and stronger labour rights protection,” he said, calling for robust collaboration across government, employers, and workers to help the sector reach its full potential.
The dialogue was facilitated under the ILO’s Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Supply Chains (RISSC) Project. Since 2023, the project has worked to promote responsible business conduct through various initiatives, including the formation of the first Industry Tripartite Council (ITC) for aquaculture in Region 12 and the publication of a flagship research study on Decent work and responsible business practices in the aquaculture sector in the Philippines (focusing on shrimp and seaweed).
Anchored in the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda, the study lays the groundwork for strengthening labour law compliance, social dialogue, and labour market data. The National Industry Dialogue successfully fostered a meaningful exchange to identify joint priorities and collaborative opportunities, marking a significant step toward building an aquaculture sector that is more competitive, resilient, and sustainable, with responsible business conduct and decent work firmly at its core.
