Jakarta, May 1, 2026 – The Europe Today: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Friday signed Presidential Regulation No. 25 of 2026, formally ratifying International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 188 to enhance the protection and welfare of fishers and fishing vessel crews across the country.
Announcing the development during the International Workers’ Day commemoration in Jakarta, the President stated: “I have just signed Presidential Regulation No. 25 of 2026 regarding the Ratification of International Labour Organization Convention No. 188, to ensure the protection and welfare of fishing vessel crews.”
The ratification forms part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen labour protections in the maritime sector, particularly for fishing crews who have long faced challenges related to workplace safety, fair treatment, and welfare conditions.
The regulation is aimed at aligning Indonesia’s maritime labour standards with international norms and strengthening legal safeguards to prevent exploitation, forced labour, and human trafficking.
It introduces key provisions including minimum age requirements, mandatory medical examinations, and written employment contracts for fishing vessel crews. It also sets standards for fair wage guarantees, as well as regulated working and rest hours to improve safety at sea.
In addition, the framework ensures adequate provisions for accommodation, food, medical care, and social security for workers on board fishing vessels.
Officials said the move is intended to close existing legal gaps in the protection of Indonesian fishers, including those working on foreign-flagged vessels, reflecting the country’s position as a major maritime nation.
Alongside the ratification, President Prabowo also highlighted the government’s “Red and White Fishing Village” programme, designed to improve living standards in coastal communities. Under the initiative, 1,386 fishing villages are expected to be inaugurated this year, with a long-term target of developing 1,500 villages annually.
The programme is projected to benefit approximately six million fishers and their families, impacting more than 20 million people nationwide.
President Prabowo further noted infrastructure support measures under the initiative, including the construction of ice plants in fishing villages and the provision of fishing vessels to strengthen livelihoods in coastal areas.
