We are delighted to publish our new research report “Navigating the Currents: The Transnational Challenges of Migrant Fishers from Southeast Asia” authored by Benni Hasbiyalloh, Bimantoro Pramono, Mariko Hayashi, Johnson Siahaan, and Anugerah Muhammad. This publication comes in a very important moment as ASEAN member states are currently working on the development of the ASEAN Guideline on the Placement and Protection of Migrant Fishers.
This report, led by a research team of Paramadina University, is produced by BEBESEA as part of our advocacy efforts to contribute to the development of the above mentioned ASEAN Guideline, following the adaptation of the ASEAN Declaration on the Placement and Protection of Migrant Fishers in May 2024. This report provides an in-depth background analysis to complement the “Policy Paper: Proposal by the Regional Civil Society Consultation for the ASEAN Guideline on the Placement and Protection of Migrant Fishers and Their Families” which was consolidated by BEBESEA and the Human Rights Working Group Indonesia (HRWG) in October 2023.
Southeast Asia is one of the largest regions of origin of migrant fishers for the fisheries industry in the East Asian economies including those of China, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea. However, many migrant fishers from ASEAN countries are trapped in exploitation and forced labor, and are victims of human trafficking on board foreign fishing vessels. This situation is due to the absence of robust national policy to protect migrant fishers and market-driven governance, including a cheap labor regime in this sector.
The ASEAN Declaration on the Placement and Protection of Migrant Fishers adopted at the 42nd ASEAN Summit held in Indonesia, in May 2023 was a significant step forward, following active advocacy of civil society organizations and workers’ unions. We sincerely hope that this report will provide deep insights into and analysis of the current situation of the rights protection of migrant fishers and will contribute to future policy making and implementation to ensure rights protection for migrant fishers and their families.
This report is published by BEBESEA in partnership with the Human Rights Working Group and Paramadina University and generously supported by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation.
