The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), is set to undertake a comprehensive survey focused on decent work within the marine fishing sector.
This initiative aims to measure working conditions and identify potential gaps in adhering to fundamental principles and rights at work.
The survey’s findings will play a crucial role in shaping policy and program development to protect the rights of fishers in Ghana. Professor Samuel Annim, the Government Statistician, highlighted the significance of quality data for sustainable development during the inception workshop for the National Steering Committee for the Survey.
The design of the survey will encompass a range of critical aspects including working hours and stays on the vessel, contracts and wages, health and safety, living conditions, and the processes of recruitment and travel to the vessel. These specific areas of focus will be refined through discussions with the National Steering Committee and the Technical Advisory Committee of the Survey.
The steering committee is scheduled to convene in July to strategize the modalities for launching the survey, with an anticipated completion date of December 2024. Prof Annim emphasized the importance of having statistical targets within the country’s policy framework to ensure a consistent update of data for informed decision-making.
Globally, the fishing industry has been marred by issues of forced labour and human trafficking. Forced labour risks are particularly acute in illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities. Prof Annim underscored the necessity for Ghana to collectively define what constitutes decent work in a manner that aligns with the country’s specific context and needs. He stressed that Ghana must take ownership of the survey and tailor it to reflect local realities, while also meeting international standards set by the ILO.
Positive Impact On The Lives Of People In The Fishing Sector
Data from this survey is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of those in the fishing sector, addressing vulnerabilities and enhancing working conditions. Prof Annim expressed concern over the existing vulnerabilities within the sector and reiterated the need for accurate, contextually relevant data to drive improvements and raise standards across the industry.
In 2021, the International Labour Organization (ILO) introduced the 8.7 Accelerator Lab, a pioneering effort designed to hasten the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 8.7. This target aims to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor, including the recruitment and use of child soldiers, by 2025. The 8.7 Accelerator Lab represents a significant step forward in the global fight against these egregious violations of human rights.
Dr. Francisca Francavilla, a Senior Economist at the ILO, emphasized the organization’s commitment to upholding fundamental principles and rights at work. These principles call for the abolition of forced labor and child labor, the promotion of nondiscrimination, and the assurance of occupational safety and health. Dr. Francavilla highlighted that these core values are essential in creating a fair and just labor market that benefits everyone.
The foundation of the ILO’s efforts is built on the four pillars of decent work, as outlined by the UN General Assembly in September 2015. These pillars encompass a holistic approach to labor conditions, including access to employment opportunities, social protection, upholding workers’ rights, and fostering social dialogue. Ensuring decent work requires a comprehensive strategy that addresses various aspects of labor conditions and promotes a safe and equitable work environment.
To measure and guide progress towards these goals, the ILO developed the Decent Work Indicators framework. This framework provides a detailed approach to evaluating labor conditions and includes key areas such as employment opportunities, adequate earnings and productive work, decent working time, and stability and security of work. By focusing on these indicators, the ILO aims to create more and better jobs, ensure that work provides a decent standard of living, balance work hours to prevent excessive overtime, and provide job security and protection against arbitrary dismissal.
The 8.7 Accelerator Lab leverages this framework to identify effective strategies and practices that can be scaled up and replicated across different contexts. By focusing on innovation and collaboration, the Lab aims to develop new solutions to accelerate the elimination of forced labor and child labor.
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