Why we help fishers
These headlines are why PIoWR exists. Across the Pacific and Asia, fishers have been held at sea, had their wages and passports withheld, been beaten, and died, often on vessels that fish in our waters or unload in our ports. Our answer is simple: Fair Conditions At Work. Under WCPFC measure CMM 2024-04, minimum crew labour standards become binding on 1 January 2028, and we are getting fishers, unions and governments ready for that date.
AP/CBPU.S. Customs and
Border ProtectionUS blocks seafood from Fiji ship accused of enslaving crew4 Aug 2021 · AP / US CBPCBPU.S. Customs and
Border ProtectionUS detains catch of Vanuatu-flagged Da Wang over forced labour18 Aug 2020 · US CBPFOCUS TAIWANCNA English NewsFish caught by Taiwan-flagged boats deemed products of forced labor2 Oct 2020 · Focus TaiwanabcABC NEWSIndonesia condemns abuse of fishermen aboard Chinese boats after corpse video11 May 2020 · ABC NewsGREENPEACEWhy are Indonesian fishing crews dying?2020 · GreenpeaceAPAssociated PressMore than 2,000 enslaved fishermen rescued in 6 months17 Sep 2015 · APREUTERSThailand found failing to log fishermen's complaints of abuse and slavery28 May 2020 · ReutersThe GuardianMajor tuna brands failing to tackle slavery in Pacific supply chains3 Jun 2019 · The GuardianFBCNEWSFiji147 migrant worker grievances recorded6 Mar 2026 · FBC News FijiThe Fiji Times$2.2m to remove harbour eyesore: 17 derelict vesselsJul 2025 · The Fiji TimesTaipei TimesNine indicted over abuse of migrant fishers (Da Wang)22 Apr 2022 · Taipei TimesThe GuardianIndonesian fishers reveal 'abuse and slavery' on long-haul vessels1 Apr 2025 · The Guardian
Border ProtectionUS blocks seafood from Fiji ship accused of enslaving crew4 Aug 2021 · AP / US CBPCBPU.S. Customs and
Border ProtectionUS detains catch of Vanuatu-flagged Da Wang over forced labour18 Aug 2020 · US CBPFOCUS TAIWANCNA English NewsFish caught by Taiwan-flagged boats deemed products of forced labor2 Oct 2020 · Focus TaiwanabcABC NEWSIndonesia condemns abuse of fishermen aboard Chinese boats after corpse video11 May 2020 · ABC NewsGREENPEACEWhy are Indonesian fishing crews dying?2020 · GreenpeaceAPAssociated PressMore than 2,000 enslaved fishermen rescued in 6 months17 Sep 2015 · APREUTERSThailand found failing to log fishermen's complaints of abuse and slavery28 May 2020 · ReutersThe GuardianMajor tuna brands failing to tackle slavery in Pacific supply chains3 Jun 2019 · The GuardianFBCNEWSFiji147 migrant worker grievances recorded6 Mar 2026 · FBC News FijiThe Fiji Times$2.2m to remove harbour eyesore: 17 derelict vesselsJul 2025 · The Fiji TimesTaipei TimesNine indicted over abuse of migrant fishers (Da Wang)22 Apr 2022 · Taipei TimesThe GuardianIndonesian fishers reveal 'abuse and slavery' on long-haul vessels1 Apr 2025 · The Guardian
PIoWR · Pacific Institute of Workplace Relations · CMM 2024-04 crew standards binding 1 Jan 2028 · piowr.org
What PIoWR does about it
- Fiji: We are setting up the FMU Fishers Branch, giving fishers a union voice, a grievance pathway and training ahead of 1 January 2028. Conservation International supports this work but does not fund it.
- Vanuatu: A fishers union is in formation, with a team and programme ready for the 1 January 2028 deadline.
- Fishers Welfare App (pilot): Fishers can report safely, check their rights and log grievances. The app builds on our SafeSeasons labour app and complements existing systems such as the Fiji Labour Department portal.
Fair Conditions At Work.