Indonesia Elevates Maritime Welfare with ILO Convention 188 Ratification and Massive Fishing Village Rollout
Indonesia is aggressively overhaulilng its maritime sector to prioritize the safety and economic stability of its fishing communities. In a series of strategic moves, the government has ratified a landmark international labor treaty and launched an ambitious infrastructure program aimed at transforming the lives of millions of fishermen across the archipelago.
Legal Protections: Ratifying ILO Convention 188
On May 1, 2026, during the International Labor Day commemorations at Silang Monas Square, President Prabowo Subianto signed Presidential Regulation 25/2026. This regulation officially ratifies the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 188, a move that legally binds the Indonesian state to uphold the protection and welfare of fishing vessel crews.
The ratification is more than a symbolic gesture; it establishes a national priority to ensure that those working in the maritime sector have guaranteed safety standards and comprehensive welfare protections. This regulatory shift aims to provide a safety net for approximately 6 million fishermen, a move that the administration expects will bring greater prosperity to over 20 million Indonesians when including their families.
The “Red and White Fishing Villages” Initiative
To complement these legal protections, the government is implementing a massive infrastructure rollout known as the Red and White Fishing Villages program. The goal is to create integrated economic ecosystems that combine fishing, storage, processing, and marketing within a single location.
Key targets of the infrastructure plan include:
- Immediate Goal: The inauguration of 1,386 fishing villages across the country by December 2026.
- Long-term Expansion: Plans to open an additional 1,500 fishing villages annually over the next three years.
- Modern Facilities: Each village is designed to be equipped with modern infrastructure, including fuel stations and cold storage to reduce post-harvest losses.
Proven Impact: The Biak Pilot Project
The effectiveness of this integrated approach is already evident in pilot projects. At the Samber Binyeri site in Biak, Papua, the implementation of these integrated systems led to a dramatic increase in productivity. Annual yields per fisherman rose from 5.35 tons to 10.85 tons, marking a 101 percent increase in productivity.
Expanding Reach to Remote Frontiers
The administration is focusing heavily on the most remote regions of the country to ensure no community is left behind. During a working visit to Miangas in the Talaud Islands, North Sulawesi, on May 9, 2026, the government handed over a 15 gross ton fishing boat with a crew capacity of five people to local fishermen.
President Prabowo emphasized that the fisheries sector is now a primary government priority, urging all parties to ensure that the construction of dedicated fishing villages in remote areas like Miangas stays on schedule to strengthen national food security based on marine resources.
Key Takeaways for the Maritime Sector
- Legal Framework: Presidential Regulation 25/2026 integrates ILO C188 standards into national law.
- Infrastructure Scale: Over 1,300 villages are targeted by the end of 2026, with thousands more planned over the next three years.
- Economic Model: Transitioning from simple fishing to an integrated system of storage, processing, and marketing.
- Productivity Gains: Pilot data shows productivity can more than double (101% increase) under the new village model.
By combining international labor standards with aggressive local infrastructure investment, Indonesia is attempting to turn its vast maritime territory into a sustainable economic engine. The success of these initiatives will depend on the government’s ability to maintain the rapid pace of construction and ensure that the legal protections of Convention 188 are strictly enforced at sea.