1.1.7a. Access to Basic Services (Vessels)

Workers have been found to experience substandard and sometimes inhumane living accommodations inside fishing vessels, even as the cost of food and lodging is deducted from their wages every month. NGO and media reports have focused on these issues in recent years, in some cases describing slave-like working and living conditions (See: Recruitment and Employment Experiences of Filipino Migrant Fishers in Taiwan’s Tuna Fishing Sector: An Exploratory Study).

The ILO and several states require that onboard conditions are safe, well-maintained, sufficient in size for the number of crew onboard. Potable water, as well as food that is of sufficient nutritional value, quality, and quantity should be provided.

"Verité noted that typical sleeping areas inside the fishing boats did not allow for privacy or comfort. Workers had to sleep very close to each other in cramped spaces, and did not have lockers for their personal effects. Workers reported that there was limited supply of potable water to drink, shower in, or cook with. They also complained of the unsanitary conditions of the living spaces on the boat."

(Source: Verité Assessment: Recruitment Practices and Migrant Labor Conditions in Nestlé’s Thai Shrimp Supply Chain)

Guidance

• Housing and sleeping quarters have adequate fire prevention and air ventilation, meet legal requirements, and meet reasonable levels of safety, decency, hygiene, and comfort; 

• Sanitary facilities (appropriate to vessel size) with adequate privacy are provided; 

• Potable water is accessible to workers; 

• Workers living on site or on board have access to adequate and sanitary food at fair prices; 

• Men and women sleeping quarters and sanitation facilities are kept separate; 

• Sleeping quarters or sanitation facilities cannot be locked from the outside (restriction of movement is prevented); 

• Workers’/fishers’ representatives and management meet regularly to discuss vessel or housing improvements; 

• The workplace provides childcare.

Additional Information 

Basic Standards

Accommodation on board fishing vessels that fly its flag shall be of sufficient size and quality and appropriately equipped for the service of the vessel and the length of time fishers live on board. In particular, such measures shall address, as appropriate, the following issues:

(a) approval of plans for the construction or modification of fishing vessels in respect of accommodation;

(b) maintenance of accommodation and galley spaces with due regard to hygiene and overall safe, healthy, and comfortable conditions;

(c) ventilation, heating, cooling, and lighting;

(d) mitigation of excessive noise and vibration;

(e) location, size, construction materials, furnishing and equipping of sleeping rooms, mess rooms, and other accommodation spaces;

(f) sanitary facilities, including toilets and washing facilities with adequate privacy, and supply of sufficient hot and cold water; and

(g) procedures for responding to complaints concerning accommodation that does not meet the requirements of this Convention (Source: ILO 2007). 

Sample questions to guide you when assessing the Unit of Assessment against the standard

• Does the vessel have safe, clean, and comfortable sleeping quarters?

• Are sanitary facilities with adequate privacy provided to workers (appropriate to vessel size)?  

• Does the crew have access to potable water on vessel?

• Does the crew have access to adequate and sanitary food?

• Are there means for the crew to discuss vessel conditions improvements with the captain/management?