The Acting General Secretary of the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers (IUF) has urged the ratification of International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 188 to secure decent working conditions in the fisheries sector.

Mr Bragason said the seafood industry lacked robust global regulation, leaving workers vulnerable to exploitation. He noted that while national-level laws existed, the global nature of the industry and its complex value chains posed major challenges in safeguarding workers’ rights.

He added that many fish workers were exploited by transnational companies, making stronger trade unions and improved working conditions essential. Highlighting Africa’s mixed progress, he said Ghana had made commendable strides in promoting decent work while other countries lagged behind.

Mr Bragason made the call at the IUF Africa Seafood Workers’ Division Conference in Accra on Monday, September 8, 2025, held under the theme: “Rising for African Fish Workers’ Dignity and Rights.” The meeting focused on key challenges, best practices in organising fish workers, and strategies to shape IUF’s global fisheries and aquaculture policy.

Speaking at the conference, Deputy General Secretary of the General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU), Andrew Tagoe, stressed the critical role of fisheries in Ghana’s economy and food security. “The seafood sector is a vital lifeline for millions of households on our continent and indeed globally. It provides about 60 per cent of animal protein in the Ghanaian diet and is the main source of affordable protein. In 2024, Ghana’s fisheries and aquaculture sector employed more than 2.5 million people,” he said.

Mr Tagoe highlighted the central role of women in fish processing, smoking, marketing, and household support. He noted that fisheries contribute about 1.2 per cent to Ghana’s GDP and are deeply tied to the culture and traditions of coastal and riverine communities.

However, he warned of persistent threats such as fish stock depletion, unsafe working conditions, meagre incomes, child labour, and human trafficking. “We are working to ensure that no child is trapped in fishing, no fisher works without dignity, and no worker lives in fear and poverty,” he said.

In a statement delivered on her behalf, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Emelia Arthur, acknowledged the sector’s challenges but said government was addressing them. She cited the Torkor Model as a homegrown initiative eliminating child labour in fishing communities while improving family welfare.

She further pointed to the passage of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2025 (Act 1146) as a landmark reform. “The Act provides a modern legal framework to strengthen the governance and management of our fisheries resources, promote aquaculture as a reliable pillar of food security, and ensure compliance with international best practices,” she said.

The minister emphasised that Ghana’s ratification of ILO Convention 188 reinforced its commitment to safeguarding the dignity, safety, and rights of fishers. She called for sustained collaboration between governments, trade unions, industry, and civil society to build “a stronger, fairer, and more resilient seafood sector for Africa.”