Addressing decent work gaps in the marine fishing sector: Lessons from ASEAN’s regional efforts

The marine fishing sector is an important source of food security, employment, and economic growth in Southeast Asia. Unfortunately, the rise in products demands has not been balanced by regulations and enforcements that protect the rights of migrant fishers. ASEAN has oftentimes viewed as an ineffective regional organization due to its adherence to non-interference principle and non-legally binding commitment. The absence of regional instruments that focus on the protection of fishers who work on foreign fishing vessels in international waters, has further exacerbated their poor working conditions. This article aims to contribute to Clive Archer’s discussion on the roles of intergovernmental organization as an arena, actor, and instrument. By showcasing the case of ASEAN’s efforts to protect migrant fishers, this article analyzes ASEAN’s ability to play these three crucial roles. This article shows that as an arena, ASEAN was able to provide a platform for member states to push the issue as a regional agenda and come up with a Declaration and operating Guidelines for the placement and protection of migrant fisher. As an instrument, ASEAN was able to garner member states’ commitment through the establishment of ALICOM, a sectoral body that focuses on labor inspection. Lastly, as an actor, ASEAN was able to gain the support of external partners, particularly through a joint program titled Addressing Labor Exploitation in Fishing in ASEAN (ALFA) funded by the United States Department of Labor.