Joint inspections of fishing vessels

Improving labour standards

SOUTH AFRICA: In an initiative to improve labour standards and promote decent work in the commercial fishing sector, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and the Department of Employment and Labour’s (DEL) Inspectorate and Enforcement Services Branch have started joint inspections on fishing vessels operating out of Cape Town.

This first phase of inspections, which concluded on Friday, 23 May 2025, marked a significant milestone in a collaborative process that has evolved over the past three years. The initiative is rooted in the provisions of the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Work in Fishing Convention No. 188 of 2007 (C188), which South Africa ratified in 2013.

The inspections follow an extensive programme that relates to stakeholder advocacy and engagement across the sector. Over the past few years, SAMSA, DEL, and the ILO have consulted widely with industry employers, fishing communities, trade unions, academic institutions, employer organisations, bargaining and statutory councils, and various arms of government.

These engagements have focused on addressing the complex and long-standing issues that affect the safety, dignity, and rights of fishers.

The joint inspections are the result of systems and mechanisms developed through sustained support from the ILO. These enable SAMSA and DEL to assess working and living conditions aboard vessels and ensure that employment practices meet the standards outlined in both national legislation and Convention 188.

The current Cape Town inspections form the second phase of a national rollout. Future joint inspections are being planned for the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Northern Cape provinces.

This historic collaboration not only underscores South Africa’s commitment to upholding international labour standards but also sends a strong signal to the fishing industry: fair, safe, and decent working conditions at sea are non-negotiable.