Overview

This module was developed through the collaboration of Verité and Conservation International.

Welcome to Module 1: Labor and Human Rights Standards, Issues, and Risks in the Seafood Supply Chain

This module provides an overview of principles and standards pertaining to humane and fair labor in the seafood sector. The standards referenced in this section are based on The Monterey Framework and the Social Responsibility Assessment Tool (SRA).

This module also draws from the Responsible Sourcing Tool and various research and assessment activities conducted by Verité Southeast Asia. To begin, please scroll down.

Objectives

• To provide assessors with a firm understanding of key labor and human rights standards applicable in the seafood sector

• To increase the assessors’ knowledge of top labor and human rights risks and issues in the seafood sector

The fisheries and aquaculture sector is one of the most essential economic sectors worldwide, providing food security and employment to millions. In 2018, it was estimated that 59.51 million people were engaged in fisheries (Food and Agriculture Organization, 2020). Many sources note that a high number of those employed in the multibillion-dollar industry are migrants, although an estimated number is difficult to pin down due to the irregular employment status and informal systems used  to hire many of them (See Thailand Bound: An Exploration of Labor Migration, Infrastructures in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Lao PDR).

Migrant workers are among the most vulnerable to exploitation, including human trafficking and forced labor, in the sector.

Monterey Framework for Social Responsibility

This module is grounded on the Monterey Framework. The Framework incorporates the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (VGSSF) as guidance for Social Responsibility.

Principle 1: Protect human rights, dignity, and access to resources

Basic human rights and dignity are respected, labor rights are protected and adequate living and working conditions provided.

Rights to resources, including tenure and access rights are secured.

Principle 2: Ensure equality and equitable opportunity to benefit

Recognitions (standing), voice, and respectful engagement for all groups irrespective of gender, ethnicity, culture, or socioeconomic status.

Principle 3: Improve food and livelihood security

Nutritional and sustenance needs of resource-dependent communities are maintained or improved.

Livelihood opportunities are secured or improved, including fair access to markets and capabilities to maintain income generation.

For this module, we will focus on Principle 1 of the framework: Protect human rights, dignity, and access to resources. Specifically, this module will focus on Component 1.1.

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Component 1.1 states that fundamental human rights are respected, labor rights are protected, and decent living and working conditions are provided, particularly for vulnerable and at-risk groups.

Module 1:

Standards and Key Performance Indicators

The elimination of forced or compulsory labor is one of the fundamental principles and rights at work, according to the ILO. In sectors like fisheries and aquaculture, issues of forced labor may be difficult to detect.

This section of the module focuses on the key performance indicators in the Social Responsibility Assessment Tool. The assessor will be guided by additional information on the standards and key questions taken from the Social Responsibility Assessment Toolkit, to help the assessor understand the working conditions and identify labor issues.

It is crucial that assessors not only understand the complexities of these issues but are equipped with the skills to bring these issues to the surface

Performance Indicators

Below is the list of indicators that this module will tackle.

• 1.1.1. Abuse and Harassment

• 1.1.2a. Human Trafficking and Forced Labor

• 1.1.2b. Debt Bondage

• 1.1.3. Child Labor

• 1.1.4. Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining

• 1.1.5. Wages and Benefits

• 1.1.6. Adequate Rest

• 1.1.7a. Access to Basic Services (Vessels)

• 1.1.7b. Access to Basic Services (Small-scale fishing communities)

• 1.1.8. Occupational Safety

• 1.1.9. Medical Response