Accommodation, food and water

Fishers · Know your rights

You live where you work. It must be fit to live in.

What you should get

• Accommodation of sufficient size and quality, with attention to hygiene, ventilation, lighting, noise, sleeping rooms, toilets and washing water (C188, Art. 26).
• Food of sufficient nutritional value, quality and quantity, and enough safe drinking water (C188, Art. 27).
• Food and water provided by the owner at no cost to you — unless a share-system collective agreement or your work agreement allows the cost to be recovered as an operating cost, under national law (C188, Art. 27).
• From 1 January 2028, on vessels covered by CMM 2024-04: clean or drinking water and food that meets your dietary needs, is free from harmful substances and is culturally acceptable (para. 7d and footnote 4).

Check for

• What food, water and supplies are included is written in your agreement

What you can do

• If water or food is unsafe, tell the skipper and write down the date. Take photos if you can do so safely.

Sources: ILO C188, Art. 25–28 (NORMLEX) · WCPFC CMM 2024-04, para. 7(d)

This card is general information, not legal advice. Laws differ by country and by the vessel's flag. Information checked 2 October 2026. For help, see piowr.org/fishers and piowr.org/tools/find-help.

Pacific Institute of Workplace Relations · Fair Conditions At Work · piowr.org