Indonesia is a leading producer and exporter of fish and seafood and a major sending country for migrant fishers, with around 12,409 Indonesian migrant fishers working on foreign fishing vessels from 2021 to 2023 (BP2MI). Despite the vital contribution of the fishing industry to the region's food security, issues such as forced labour and trafficking in persons (TIP) are serious concerns. IOM Indonesia conducted a workshop to discuss the crucial challenges in the protection and referral mechanism of Indonesian migrant fishers in Jakarta on August 27, 2024.  The workshop emphasized the need for better governance for Indonesian migrant fishers and highlighted the importance of maintaining the referral mechanism to provide more effective support to victims of trafficking.

During the opening session, the Deputy for Placement and Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers for Asia and Africa Region, BP2MI, Lasro Simbolon stated, "Indonesian migrant workers and their families are protected by law throughout their journey. To enhance this protection, we must establish better governance for Indonesian migrant fishers and Indonesian migrant workers in general. Strengthening collaboration and synergy among institutions is also essential. Finally, developing competencies for migrant fishers is crucial."

Meanwhile, IOM’s Programme Manager, Sebastien Lucien Frederic Reclaru also said, “It is essential to strengthen the existing referral mechanism to provide more effective support to the victims of trafficking, such as for shelter needs during waiting for the law enforcement process, repatriation to the area of origin, and the most important is the reintegration assistance to the migrant fishers".

Abdul Karim of the Ministry of Manpower emphasized the significance of forming partnerships with NGOs and development organizations. "Collaborating with these partners is crucial to provide a balance and oversight for the government in improving the placement and protection mechanisms for Indonesian migrant fishers," he said.

The workshop was divided into two sessions. The first session emphasized that legal certainty is essential for better protection of Indonesian migrant fishers. The Government of Indonesia is actively working to improve protection for these workers through Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA) with destination countries. One of the recent agreements was signed between Indonesia and Spanish government. The session also discussed the need to expand similar agreements with other countries, recognizing that such measures are important for strengthening protection. In addition, strengthening diplomacy and improving the capacities of migrant fishers were identified as critical opportunities for enhancing their protection in the future.

In the second session, positive progress made by the Indonesian government in protecting migrant fishers was discussed, along with identified gaps that need to be addressed. These gaps include the ratification of ILO Convention No. 188, limited access to free internet for Indonesian migrant fishers at sea, varying levels of understanding among law enforcement officials, and the limited capacity of service providers in delivering psychosocial support to Indonesian migrant fishers identified as victims of trafficking.

Furthermore, participants were divided into four groups, each discussing a specific aspect of the protection of Indonesian migrant fishers: identification and complaint, rehabilitation and reintegration, access to justice, and prevention. Recommendations were developed from these discussions and will be presented to government officials. Meanwhile, the IOM team is in the process of preparing the draft.

Since 2005, IOM has supported the Government of Indonesia’s efforts in the prevention and the handling of TIP through the 3P Approach – Prevention, Protection, and Prosecution, aiding a total of 9,708 victims of trafficking (VOTs), of which 25,22% were migrant fishers, both Indonesian and foreign nationals from Myanmar, Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Thailand who experienced excessive working hours, debt bondage, limited movement and communication and psychological and physical abuse.

The multifaceted efforts showed by the Government of Indonesia through the establishment of the Anti-Trafficking Task Force which is the main coordination task force consisting of 24 ministries/institutions in Indonesia for combatting TIP, including its leadership restructuration reflect Indonesia’s commitment to addressing human trafficking in the fisheries sector, though challenges remain. Continued improvements in enforcement, victim support, and strengthening referral mechanisms are crucial for effectively combating TIP. 

These activities are conducted by IOM through the Asia Regional Migration Program, which is being implemented in 12 countries, including Indonesia, with support from the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration of the United States’ Department of State. The programme aims to increase the capability of the governments in the Asian Region in managing sustainable and humane migration.