JAKARTA, JUNE 9, 2025 – The commitment to the safety, health, and welfare of Indonesian fishing crews was the main agenda in a key meeting today between a delegation from a China-based fishing vessel company and the board of the Indonesian Fisherman Association (INFISA) in Jakarta. The visit underscores that compliance with international STCW standards and the implementation of the Responsible Recruitment Program are absolute requirements for any collaboration between the two parties.
The meeting, held at the INFISA headquarters, aimed to strengthen the partnership and ensure that every Indonesian crew member working in their fleet has undergone the proper recruitment and training processes.
Mr.Chairul Hadi, the General Secretary of INFISA, stated in his welcome speech that the protection of crew members is the highest priority. “We welcome this initiative from our partners in China. It shows a shared vision that human life is the most valuable asset. INFISA will not compromise; every crew member departing through us must be certified and be physically and mentally prepared,” he said.
Responsible Recruitment as a Primary Filter
During the discussion, Chairul Hadi emphasized that the core of this collaboration is full adherence to the Responsible Recruitment Program. This program functions as a primary filter to ensure every prospective crew member has met minimum competency standards before signing an employment contract.
The main requirement in this program is proof of completion of safety and health training that refers to two key legal instruments:
- International Instruments: The STCW Convention 1978 and its amendments, as well as STCW-F 1995, which is specifically designed for fishing vessel personnel.
- National Instruments: Regulations issued by the Indonesian government, such as those from the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.
“This program closes loopholes for irresponsible practices. Every crew member must hold a Basic Safety Training (BST) certificate, a seaman’s book, and understand on-board health procedures,” Chairul Hadi added.
Commitment from the Service User
Mr. Wang , the director of the Chinese delegation, appreciated INFISA’s firm stance. He stated that his party views Indonesian crew members as skilled and resilient workers, and therefore, it is only right that they receive the best guarantees for safety and health.
“We came here to ensure our procedures are aligned. We need a crew that can not only work but can also protect themselves and the vessel. A healthy and well-trained crew is an investment, not a cost. It reduces the risk of accidents, damages, and ensures smooth operations,” said Mr. Wang.
The training discussed in depth included the safety pillar (fire drills, abandon ship drills, man overboard drills) and the health pillar (Medical First Aid, ship sanitation, and fatigue and stress management).
The visit concluded with an agreement to strengthen a joint verification mechanism, ensuring that every recruited crew member has met all an d requirements. This step is seen as a model for ideal cooperation, one that places the rights and safety of Indonesian migrant workers at the forefront of the global fishing industry.