New Migrant Worker Resource Centre supports safer migration for Indonesian migrant fishers

© Ali Luuthfi/ILO

TEGAL, Central Java, Indonesia – Prospective migrant fishers and their family members will benefit from a new Migrant Worker Resource Centre (MRC) established in Tegal Regency in Indonesia’s Central Java Province.

The MRC has been established by the International Labour Organization (ILO), through it’s European Union-funded Ship to Shore Rights South East Asia (S2SR SEA) programme in partnership with the Indonesian Migrant Workers Trade Union (SBMI). It is the 21st MRC supported by S2SR SEA programme that has opened across South-East Asia.

“The new MRC in Tegal marks an important step towards decent work and well-being of migrant fishers. It will help empower fisher communities with the knowledge and resources necessary to navigate the complexities of migration and work onboard fishing vessels safely,” said Mi Zhou, Chief Technical Advisor, Ship to Shore Rights South East Asia programme.

The MRC will provide prospective and current migrant fishers with information about safe migration for work and the opportunity to ask questions and lodge complaints. Counselling and outreach will be provided so that potential migrant fishers can make informed decision before migrating to work.

Tegal Municipality is located in the north costal area of Java Island, bordering the Java Sea. According to data from the Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Agency (BP2MI) from 2015 to 2023 some 1,430 Indonesians from this municipality found employment overseas onboard foreign fishing vessels.

“In establishing the Migrant Resource Center in Tegal, we are not merely constructing a physical space; we are building a bridge of support and empowerment for our migrant fishers. Together, with the support of the ILO, we are not just filling a gap but shaping a safer, more informed future for our fishing community in Tegal," says Hariyanto, Chairperson SBMI.

The S2SR SEA programme will support capacity building of MRC staff, including key stakeholders at selected villages to ensure quality and effective services for the prospective and current migrant fishers.

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Ship to Shore Rights South East Asia programme is a multi-country, multi-annual initiative of the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN), implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Its overriding objective is to promote regular and safe labour migration and decent work for all migrant workers in the fishing and seafood processing sectors in South-East Asia.