We are delighted to publish our policy paper “Proposal by the Regional Civil Society Consultation for the ASEAN Guideline on the Placement and Protection of Migrant Fishers and Their Families.”  Following the adoption of the ASEAN Declaration on the Placement and Protection of Migrant Fishers, made on the occasion of the 42nd ASEAN Summit in May 2023, in which the ASEAN Member States committed themselves “to mobilise resources for the implementation of this Declaration and develop an ASEAN Guidelines on the Placement and Protection of Migrant Fishers,” BEBESEA and HRWG Indonesia hosted a regional civil society consultation in Jakarta in August 2023. With the contributions of about 40 participants representing 25 organisations, the consultation concluded that the proposed Guidelines need to articulate strongly the vulnerability of workers in the fishing industry, especially those who are migrant, and should include provisions to ensure prevention of rights violations, protection, and effective remedies for migrant fishers. 

We put together this paper as a result of the consultation, highlighting the important contribution of migrant fishers and addressing their vulnerabilities. This document includes a joint statement and specific recommendations on provisions to be considered in developing the Guidelines.

Download the policy paper here.