SECLG: Driving improvements in human rights and labour standards. | Seafish

SECLG: Driving improvements in human rights and labour standards.

Date: 05 July 2023

Time: 10.30 am - 4.00 pm

Location: Friends House, 173-177 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BJ

Email Karen Green to register for this event
This meeting will provide a forum to discuss opportunities to drive improvements in human rights and labour standards – global and UK.



This Seafood Ethics Common Language Group (SECLG) is taking place at Friends House, 173-177 Euston Road, London. NW1 2BJ. The venue is conveniently located virtually opposite Euston station, and a 10 minute walk from Kings Cross/St Pancras railway station.

Our groups meetings provide a forum to bring together all parties in the supply chain to look at human rights issues in seafood supply chains, explore shared collective solutions and collaborate.

This group last met in person on 5 July 2022 so this will be an opportunity to look at what has happened in last year. Globally there will be an update on the ratification of key conventions and what this means for workers and seafood businesses, and how we can work towards wider adoption of this convention and other key instruments. This will be followed by a look at the role of voluntary standards, and a focus on worker voice and grievance mechanisms as a key part of that.

The afternoon session will focus on what has happened in the UK over the last 12 months.

Event Programme

10.30 am - 11.20 am
The global picture
  • Status of ratifications (ILO 188, CTA, PSMA) and recent reports..
    Huw Thomas, 3 Pillars Seafood.
  • Validating the role of voluntary international certifications, standards and ratings across the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
    David Hammond, Human Rights at Sea.(HRAS).
11.30 am - 12.30 pm
Worker voice and grievance mechanisms
  • What is the expectation of Worker Voice and Grievance Mechanisms on certified vessels?
    Melanie Siggs, Global Seafood Alliance.
  • UK fishers' perspective.
    Speaker TBC
  • Worker voice model, challenges and best practice solutions.
    Lia Hayman, Thai Union.
  • Panel session.
1.30 pm - 4.00 pm
Mitigating risk in UK fishing.
Seasonal worker approaches and developments.
  • David Camp, Association of Labour Providers.
The current picture - what has happened in the UK in the last year - one year on from the last SECLG.
  • Fishers’ perspective.
    Speaker TBC.
  • Reported cases of exploitation or abuse at sea and Border Force experience of financial exploitation of migrant workers in the UK industry.
    Andy Vidamour, Border Force Maritime Command.
  • Supply chain actions.
    Andy Hickman, SEA Alliance.
New initiatives underway
  • Fair Food Programme.
    Mike Park, Scottish White Fish Producers Association.
  • Fishing First Safety Management project.
    Alan McCulla, ANIFPO.
  • Information films for migrant workers on UK fishing vessels.
    Sam Ludlow-Taylor, Waitrose and Eleanor Church, Larkrise Pictures.
  • Panel session.
4.00 pm
Meeting ends

How to register

To register for this event please email Karen Green, Industry Issues and Communications (link opens in a new window).

Further information

Once you've successfully registered for this event, you will receive an event registration confirmation email from Eventbrite, which will include the link to access the event.

SECLG monthly news alerts

To find out more about the group and the topics discussed you can sign up to receive the SECLG monthly news update, which includes details on how to register for the various group meetings. Once you have filled in your details you will be given the option to register to receive any of the Seafish newsletters.

To subscribe, please follow the link below.

Seafood Issues Groups

The SECLG is one of a number of Seafish-facilitated discussion forums which focus on the integrity of the seafood supply chain. These groups provide a discussion platform for some of the most important issues facing the seafood industry, particularly in relation to the responsible sourcing of seafood. They are an opportunity for all those involved in the seafood supply chain to reach a consensus on common issues.

Find out more about our Seafood Issues Groups by following the link below.