ILO Work in Fishing Convention 188. What it means for the UK fishing industry and those operating in UK waters. July 2019

Summary

The International Labour Organization (ILO) Work in Fishing Convention 188 is a global labour standard to ensure fishers have minimum standards and decent conditions of work on board all fishing vessels. It sets responsibilities for owners, skippers and fishers, regardless of their employment status. The Convention establishes minimum requirements for work on board; conditions of service; accommodation and food; occupational safety and health protection; medical care and social security. The UK ratified the Convention in January 2019. This will impact on all aspects of living and working conditions on UK fishing vessels, wherever those vessels are operating. It will also apply to fishing vessels (that are not UK registered vessels) operating in UK waters. The new provisions will be phased in, but many of them applied in the UK from 30 December 2018. This briefing note provides an overview of what is covered by the new legislation and what changes this will bring about. The new legislative requirements have been split into those covering health and safety and those covering working conditions. There is also guidance on where to look for further information.

Publication date

01 July 2019