The FFA workshop on Crew and Labour standards was conducted in Tarawa from 24th to 26th February. The workshop was attended by representatives from various government stakeholders, including the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), Ministry of Employment and Human Resources (MEHR), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI), Maritime Police Unit (PMU), AG’s office, Department of Marine Division from the Ministry of Information Communication Transport (MICT), and the Oceanic Fisheries Division (OFD) of the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (OFD).

The three-day workshop focused on stakeholder consultations, raising awareness and initiating discussions that would inform the development and implementation of a national crew labour policy and legal framework in accordance with the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Harmonized Minimum Terms and Conditions (HMTCs) and the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Conservation and Management Measures (CMM) 2024-04 on Labour standards.

The Oceanic Fisheries Division (OFD) on behalf of the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (MFOR) extends its gratitude to the FFA and the ILO for supporting this workshop, which is important for future safety and fair treatment of crews on fishing vessels.