Ghana ratifies ILO C188:  What are the prospects?

Ghana has tak­en a significant step forward in protecting the rights of its fish­ing community by becoming the 22nd Member State of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to ratify the Work in Fishing Convention (C188). This move, which comes into effect on August 28, 2025, sig­nals a new chapter in the country’s efforts to enhance working condi­tions in its vital fishing sector.

ILO Convention C188

The ILO Work in Fishing Convention, also known as C188, was adopted by the In­ternational Labour Conference in 2007 and came into force globally on November 16, 2017. This comprehensive conven­tion is designed to ensure that fishers have decent working conditions on board fishing vessels. It sets out binding re­quirements relating to work on board fishing vessels, including occupational safety and health, medical care at sea and ashore, rest periods, written work agreements, and social security protection. The convention ap­plies to all types of commercial fishing operations, providing minimum standards that can be implemented by governments in their laws and regulations or other measures. It aims to ensure that fishing vessels are constructed and maintained so that fishers have decent living conditions on board, reflecting the unique nature of work in this sector.

The State of Ghana’s fish­ing sector

Ghana’s fishing industry, a crucial component of the country’s economy and food security, has long grappled with the challenge of ensur­ing adequate protection for its workforce. The sector employs thousands of fishers, operating in conditions that, while not entirely unregulated, have fallen short of international standards. Prior to the ratification of C188, Ghana had existing laws and policies aimed at protecting fishers. The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) had made efforts to improve conditions in the sector. However, these measures, while well-inten­tioned, were not comprehen­sive enough to address all the challenges faced by workers in this high-risk industry.

Fishers in Ghana have contended with issues such as inadequate safety measures on vessels, limited access to medi­cal care at sea, and inconsistent enforcement of rest periods. While not as severe as in some other regions, instances of unfair labor practices, including delayed wage payments and lack of formal contracts, have been reported. The social security protection for fishers, though existent, was often insufficient to provide adequate coverage in cases of work-related inju­ries, illnesses, or death. Living conditions on fishing vessels, while regulated to some extent, did not always meet the stan­dards necessary for extended periods at sea. It is important to note that the situation, while not ideal, was not uniformly dire across the sector. Many responsible operators within Ghana’s fishing industry have strived to maintain good stan­dards. However, the lack of a comprehensive, internationally recognised framework left room for inconsistencies and gaps in protection.

Benefits of C188 for Gha­na’s fishing sector

The ratification of C188 promises to bring about significant improvements in the lives and working con­ditions of Ghanaian fishers. The convention requires that fishers have the protection of a work agreement that they can understand, outlining the terms of their employment. It man­dates that fishing vessels are constructed and maintained to provide decent living conditions and a safe working environ­ment. C188 sets standards for rest periods, helping to prevent fatigue-related accidents and health issues. Fishers will have the right to medical treatment ashore and on board vessels, including essential dental care. The convention requires that fishers and their families have access to social security protec­tion no less favourable than that provided to other workers. In cases where a work agreement is terminated for justified rea­sons, fishers have the right to be repatriated at the fishing vessel owner’s expense. The conven­tion also prohibits charging fishers for placement services and regulates private employ­ment agencies. Furthermore, C188 requires risk evaluation, training of fishers, accident reporting, and provision of ap­propriate protective equipment.

Preparatory work by Ghana Maritime Authority and ILO

The ratification of C188 didn’t come out of the blue. In fact, the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), in collabo­ration with the ILO, had been laying the groundwork for this significant step well before the official ratification. Recognising the importance of preparing key stakeholders for the im­plementation of C188, the GMA, with support from the ILO, have organised series of training workshop with various stakeholders. This proactive approach demonstrates Ghana’s commitment to not just rati­fying the convention but also ensuring its effective implemen­tation.

Furthermore, the ILO’s 8.7 Accelerator Lab, in conjunction with the ILO Sectorial Policies Unit, has been providing ongo­ing support to the GMA and other stakeholders. Their efforts have focused on building understanding about C188 and developing the capacities and tools necessary for its practical application.

Insights from the ILO Country Director

To gain a deeper understand­ing of the implications of C188 for Ghana, we conducted an extensive interview with Dr Vanessa Phala-Moyo, Country Director of the ILO Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Her insights provide a comprehensive view of the challenges, progress, and future prospects for Ghana’s fishing sector under C188.

She emphasised the con­vention’s role in addressing existing labor issues, stating, “In the fishing industry, the labour rights of more than 128,000 fishers are affected by various challenges including instances of forced labour, debt bond­age, withholding of wages, intimidation and threats, and substandard living and working conditions.”

She further explained that by ratifying C188, “Ghana com­mits to providing agreeable individual working contracts for all fishers, fair recruitment, Occupational safety & health, Social security, Protection in the case of work-related sickness, injury or death, and adequate accommodation food and water as well as medical care on board commercial fishing vessels.”

Regarding the alignment of national laws with C188, Dr Phala-Moyo noted that Ghana has existing national laws for fisheries and labour rights in the sector, such as the Labour Act, Fisheries Act and Shipping Act. She explained that the ILO continues to provide technical assistance to guide Ghana in re­viewing these local legal frame­works to ensure coherence and alignment with C188.

“Our 8.7. Accelerator Lab Programme has provided technical inputs to the review process of the Labour and Fisheries Acts,” she added.

Dr Phala-Moyo discussed the ILO’s approach to monitoring and supporting the implementa­tion of Convention C188. This process involves the ILO Com­mittee of Experts on the Ap­plication of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR), which oversees member states’ compliance and requires them to report on their progress in implementing the convention.

In Ghana, the ILO’s 8.7 Accelerator Lab Programme provides technical assistance to stakeholders—including government agencies, employ­ers, and workers—helping them apply C188 effectively. This support includes capacity-build­ing and piloting interventions that stakeholders are encour­aged to expand.

Dr Phala-Moyo praised Ghana’s proactive approach, noting the establishment of a tripartite collaboration involv­ing the Labour Department, Ghana Maritime Authority, Fisheries Commission, and key industry groups like the Ghana Industrial Trawlers Association (GITA) and the National Union of Seamen Ports and Allied Workers (NUSPAW). This collaboration has led to positive outcomes such as increased wages, improved occupational safety and health (OSH), and enhanced workers’ rights. It has also facilitated joint inspections of fishing vessels and better living and working conditions for fishers.

Ghana is expected to submit its first report to the CEACR in September 2026, detailing its efforts to meet the standards set by C188. This report will cover progress on the convention’s 15 provisions. The ILO will continue to support Ghana with ongoing training for journalists and media institutions.

Ghana’s implementation of C188 could serve as a model for other countries in the West Central Gulf of Guinea region, potentially influencing regional labour standards in fishing. The international community will be closely watching Ghana’s progress, which may inspire similar actions in neighbouring countries.

BY JONATHAN DONKOR