Fishing sector: ratification by the Member States of the ILO Convention 188 on the work in fishing sector

PURPOSE: to authorise the Member States to ratify the 2007 International Labour Organisation (ILO) “Work in Fishing Convention”.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: in June 2007, the ILO adopted Convention No. 188 concerning work in the fishing sector, which seeks to establish minimum international standards. In so doing the ILO revised three Conventions adopted in 1959 and one Convention adopted in 1966: Minimum Age (Fishermen); Medical Examination (Fishermen); Fishermen’s Articles of Agreement; and Accommodation of Crews (Fishermen).  Convention No. 188 also addresses other important issues such as health and safety at work, manning and hours of rest, crew list, repatriations, recruitment and placement, social security and enforcement. The ultimate aim of the Convention is to maintain a level playing field in the fishing sector by fostering the promotion of decent living and working conditions for fishermen and fairer global competition and to remedy the low rate of ratification of many conventions in the field of maritime labour.

CONTENT: the purpose of this proposal, therefore, is to authorise the Member States to ratify Convention No 188. Unlike other international fora, ILO operating rules do not include a process of formal signature before ratification. A signature may be replaced by a voting procedure leading to adoption (equivalent to a signature). Thus, Convention No.188 was adopted in June 2007 by the ILO but has yet to enter into force. In view of the fact that responsibility for social security schemes lies with the Community, the Member States will not be able to ratify the Convention without Community authorisation. The Commission, therefore, proposes that the Council authorise the Member States to ratify Convention No 188 in the interest of the Community.