The Tripartite Commission Launches to Improve Labor Conditions for Fishermen... Establishment of Labor-Management-Government Council

Economic, Social and Labor Council

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The Economic, Social and Labor Council, a tripartite social dialogue body under the direct control of the President, launched the "Fishing Vessel Crew Employment and Labor Environment Committee" on the 6th.

Approximately 140 fishing vessel crew members die each year. The accident rate is about 4.5%, which is significantly higher than the overall industry average of 0.54%. Despite this, efforts to improve the industrial safety environment for fishing vessel crew members have been insufficient, which has been pointed out as a problem.

In 2015, the International Labour Organization (ILO) enacted the "Maritime Labour Convention" and recommended the establishment of onboard safety and health standards, but follow-up measures have been inadequate to date.

Accordingly, there is a growing call for the revision of laws and systems regulating the labor standards and industrial safety of fishing vessel crew members.

While fishing vessel crew members on vessels over 20 tons are protected under the special law, the Seafarers Act, those on vessels under 20 tons are subject to general laws such as the Labor Standards Act and the Industrial Safety and Health Act. It has been pointed out that confusion is increasing due to the dual jurisdiction of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Ministry of Employment and Labor.

The committee was launched with a consensus on the need for institutional discussions to improve the poor labor conditions and industrial safety status of fishing vessel crew members and to prepare fundamental solutions.

The committee plans to finalize detailed agendas such as improving laws and systems related to labor standards for fishing vessel crew members and creating an industrial safety and health environment as soon as possible and begin discussions.

Professor Jeon Young-woo of Korea Maritime and Ocean University will serve as the chairperson. Representatives of fishing vessel crew workers include two members from the Seafarers' Union, and representatives from the management side include one member each from the Fisheries Cooperative and the Korea Federation of Fisheries Entrepreneurs. Two government members and three public interest members will also participate. The discussion period for the committee is one year from its launch date.

Chairperson Jeon Young-woo said, "Tragic accidents involving fishing vessel crew members on vessels under 20 tons occur at a rate of one every two days," and added, "Let us all work together?labor, management, and government?to create an environment where fishing vessel crew members can work safely."

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