ILOILO – A regional forum on migrant fishers to be held this Friday, Nov. 21, at Casa Real de Iloilo is expected to shine a spotlight on what organizers describe as an “alarming” pattern of forced labor, exploitation, and human trafficking victimizing Filipino fishers deployed in distant-water fleets.
Despite being regarded as essential contributors to the global seafood industry, many Filipino migrant fishers endure overwork, underpayment, food and water deprivation, and the constant threat of abuse, according to advocates leading the Regional Forum of Migrant Fishers 2025.
Hosted by the Iloilo Provincial Government in partnership with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Region 6 and organized by the Associated Philippine Seafarers Union (APSU), the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), and the Western Visayas Migrants Network, the forum carries the theme: “Safeguarding Filipino Migrant Fishers Against Forced Labor and Campaigning for the Ratification of ILO C188.”
The event aims to push for the long-delayed ratification of the International Labor Organization Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (ILO C188) — a landmark protection mechanism that sets standards for decent work, safe recruitment, humane conditions onboard, and social protection for fishers.
‘Victims of abuse at sea’
EJF campaigner and researcher Angel Marie Ysik said the forum seeks to expose realities long “normalized” in the fishing sector, particularly among workers deployed overseas.
“Nga-a mahambal naton nga victim sila? Kay didto sa dagat naga-trabaho sila sang 20 to 22 hours, everyday or sometimes tuloy-tuloy ang trabaho, three days na walang pahinga. Tapos ang experience nila indi sila matagaan sang sakto nga pagkaon, ang gina-inum nga tubig is higku. So, amo na iban pagpuli diri nagamasakit or iban indi na makapauli, nagakapatay na lang didto tapos ang iban ilubong sa iban nga lugar nga indi makapauli so kaluoy ang pamilya,” Ysik told Panay News.
Ysik said that when survivors manage to return home, their cases rarely receive immediate attention since exploitative conditions have long been accepted as “part of the job” in commercial fishing.
Western Visayas among hardest hit
EJF data show 200 documented cases of migrant fishers nationwide who suffered forced labor or human trafficking.
Of these, 46 came from Western Visayas, specifically the provinces of Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo.
“Base sa amon data nga na-interview, naka-interview kami sang 46 halin sa Antique, Capiz, Guimaras and Iloilo mga victims na sila nga naka-experience being overworked, underpaid, iban wala bayran,” Ysik added.
Many were deceived at the recruitment stage, promised good pay and humane conditions, only to be exploited upon deployment.
“May mga instances ang crew naga-obra 11 to 12 months nga wala sweldo,” she said.
Organizers emphasized that as the world’s second-largest supplier of migrant fishers, the Philippines must step up protections for workers who power international fleets but remain among the most vulnerable to exploitation.
The forum’s collective output will be used to lobby national and regional agencies for stronger policies and interventions for migrant fishers, Ysik said.
“Iduso gihapon nga kita dira sa local kon ano man to ang issue sa migrant fishers mabuligan sila in terms of protection and prevention,” she stressed./PN