3 February 2023. Our Director Dr Bonny Ling spoke at a NGO-organised Regional Workshop on “Solidarity Building and Collective Advocacy on Rights of Seafarers and Sea-based Migrant Workers,” to promote human and labour rights in the maritime economy.
As a social impact research consultancy driven by the goals of UN Sustainable Development Goal 8 – the achievement of a sustainable economy and decent work for all – we were especially honoured to share our expertise with Better Engagement Between East and Southeast Asia (BEBESEA) and the Human Rights Working Group (HRWG).
Dr Bonny Ling opened the workshop with a talk on “Global Trends of Tackling Human Rights and Labour Rights Issues at Sea”, followed by a Q&A.
The session also featured Benni Yusriza from the Paramadina University in Indonesia, with his talk on “Looking at Migration and Labour from Sea-based Perspectives.”
[Screenshot of Dr Bonny Ling’s presentation on the issues faced by migrant sea-based workers and their role in the global economy at the BEBESEA’s Second Regional Workshop.]
“90% of the world’s trade were done by sea. But #seafarers & sea-based #migrantworkers rarely get the attention until something big happens. Like when the huge cargo ship stuck in the #Suez Canal, and people started worrying about whether their gift will be late.” – Dr Bonny Ling
The pressing urgency of this topic is also highlighted in a recent report by ILO ‘Rough Seas: The impact of COVID-19 on fishing workers in South-East Asia’.
The report reveals how migrant fishers and seafood processors were excluded from government relief programmes, social security protection and unemployment benefits during the COVID-crisis.
“Out of sight”
Given the fact that their workplace– fishing vessels – is difficult to monitor, the risk of labour abuses against seafarer migrants is increased. Actual physical distance from shore, as well as limited access to communication channels, makes it difficult for migrant seafarer workers to report an issue.
Despite the ocean-based economy fast-developing with the largest number of jobs provided by this sector in the Asia Pacific, there is a wide gap in advocacy for migrant workers at sea. Their working conditions are often in breach of international human rights and labour standards, which signals the need for more legal representation of this sector.
The BEBESEA and HRWG Workshop presented an opportunity for greater knowledge-sharing and network-building between grassroots-organizations and individual activists. WBI is proud to be part of this process and looks forward to support increasing efforts to bring about a safer maritime working environment for all who depend on the sea for their livelihoods.
