The Ship to Shore Rights South-East Asia: Safe Migration for Decent Work in the Blue Economy has extended its scope to Malaysia to strengthen labour rights and promote safe migration in the fishing, seafood processing, and aquaculture sectors.
A flagship initiative of the European Union (EU), the programme will be implemented in Malaysia by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The extension of the programme to Malaysia marks an important milestone in promoting safe migration and decent work in South-East Asia's fish and seafood supply chains, recognizing the unique challenges of working in this vital sector of the national economy. In 2023, Malaysia's total seafood exports were valued at nearly US$1 billion.
Key stakeholders from the Government, employers, workers and civil society organizations came together in Putrajaya on 13 November 2025 to discuss the key priorities for the programme in Malaysia, which will be implemented from 2025-2028. The meeting participants committed to improving protection of the rights of migrant workers in the fishing, seafood processing and aquaculture sectors, responding to the heightened vulnerability of workers in these sectors. The meeting was co-organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Ministry of Human Resources.
During the workshop, the Malaysian Government and social partners agreed upon an ambitious initial plan of activities. The programme will strengthen regional and bilateral cooperation within ASEAN to ensure safe migration and decent work for migrants. National legislation and enforcement will be improved to ensure greater alignment with international labour standards, such as the Work in Fishing Convention (No. 188). Good labour practices will be adopted to ensure the commitment of employer organizations to responsible business practices. Migrant worker resource centres will be established by trade unions and civil society to support organizing and expanded access to information and services.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Human Resources, Mr. Raja Mohd Nizam bin Raja Kamarulbahrin, Undersecretary of the International Division, welcomed the extension of the programme to Malaysia: "We recognize the specific vulnerabilities of foreign workers in the fishing, seafood processing and aquaculture sectors, and protecting their labour rights remains a priority. This initiative also underscores the importance of bilateral and regional cooperation, requiring close collaboration between Malaysia and relevant stakeholders," he said.
In her opening remarks, Audrey-Anne Rochelemagne, Deputy Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Thailand, said, "The blue economy has faced challenges in robustly protecting the rights of migrant workers. With the support of the European Union, governments and social partners in the region have taken important steps to strengthen regulation of migration and employment in the fishing and seafood processing sectors. We are very pleased to extend this partnership to Malaysia to build further on the momentum for change."
At the conclusion of the meeting, Tuomo Poutiainen, Deputy Regional Director of the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, said, "The ILO welcomes the commitments made by key stakeholders to ensure that migrant workers in Malaysia's fish and seafood supply chain are able to realize decent work. We are very pleased to reach agreement on a strong work plan of activities that directly responds to the key protection needs of these vulnerable workers."
Ship to Shore Rights in South-East Asia: Safe migration for decent work in the blue economy is a regional initiative of the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN). It is implemented by the ILO in collaboration with IOM and FAO, with the overall objective to promote safe migration and decent work for a sustainable fish and seafood supply chain in South-East Asia. The programme addresses the specific vulnerabilities experienced by migrant workers in these sectors, as well as the risks present during the labour migration process, which can lead to decent work deficits, labour rights abuses and forced labour.
