Despite being the top seaweed producer in the world and ranking 12th overall in terms of aquaculture output, workers from the sector are informally employed and include child laborers. Moreover, they are paid low and unstable incomes, are exposed to unsafe working conditions, and have limited access to social protection.

These were the findings of a research study by the International Labor Organization’s Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Supply Chains Project, focusing on decent work and responsible business practices in the Philippine aquaculture sector.

Khalid Hassan, director of the ILO Country Office for the Philippines, called for stronger collaboration among all aquaculture stakeholders to help the sector reach its potential.

“As global demand for ethically sourced seafood grows, the industry must meet rising expectations for transparency, environment, social and governance (ESG), due diligence and stronger labor rights protection,” said Hassan at the two-day National Industry Dialogue for a Responsible and Sustainable Aquaculture Supply Chain, held on 27 and 28 October in Makati City

The dialogue was organized by the International Labor Organization (ILO) with support from the government of Japan.

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya said that Japan is proud to be a major contributor to the ILO for the Asia-Pacific region.

“Today’s discussions among stakeholders can foster an improved quality of life for workers in aquaculture,” Kazuya said. “As a key Philippine industry, better practices in this sector are sure to drive more sustainable growth for the entire Philippine economy.”

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said he expects the dialogue to yield an agreement on the direction the sector should take to ensure the rights and protection of its workers.

“What we want to see in this very first national dialogue of the ILO is an agreement on what needs to be done, what are the responsibilities of the sectors involved to show respect for the workers, and to gather inputs from the participants,” Laguesma said in an interview. “Hopefully there can be some sort of a road map for them to follow after the dialogue because this will play a huge role in food security.” 

The dialogue aims to identify joint priorities and collaboration opportunities to strengthen the sector’s resilience, competitiveness and sustainability through responsible business conduct and decent work.