Responsible Recruitment Project
Was established in 2021 by INFISA with FCF Co.,Ltd and Key Traceability Co.,Ltd based on the main cause of the emergence to address unethical recruitment practices and the potential harm to workers and vessel owners and stakeholders related to fisheries practices, focusing on migrant workers in particular.
THIRD PARTIES play an important role in the seafood supply chain in terms of market pressure regarding social responsibility.
In response to this issue, it has been proven that several cases can be minimised through the Responsible Recruitment programme.
and the benefits for parties participating in this programme.
Crewing Agency
Crewing agency (or ship crew agent) is a company that starts in the procurement and provision of crew ships for ships owned by shipping companies or ship owners.
Enhanced Reputation and Trust
By implementing responsible recruitment practices, crewing agencies build a reputation as ethical and reliable partners.
This increases the trust of prospective crew members, ship owners, and international organizations concerned with human rights and labor issues.
Access to a Wider Range of Clients and Markets:
Many large fishing companies and international markets (especially in developed countries) are increasingly demanding ethical recruitment practices from their entire supply chain.
Crewing agencies that are certified or participate in responsible recruitment programmes will have a competitive advantage and easier access to these clients.
Legal and Financial Risk Reduction:
Irresponsible recruitment practices can lead to legal problems, fines, and claims for damages.
By following a responsible recruitment programme, crewing agencies can minimise these risks by ensuring compliance with national and international labour regulations.
Improving Crew Quality and Retention:
A fair and transparent recruitment process tends to attract higher quality and more professional crew members.
When crew members feel that they are treated well and their rights are protected, retention rates (crew retention) will be higher, reducing costs associated with recruitment and retraining.
Contribution to Sustainable Fishing Industry: :
By ensuring that crew members are treated fairly, crewing agencies contribute to social sustainability in the fishing industry.
This is in line with global demands for seafood products that are caught ethically and responsibly.
Long-Term Operational Efficiency:
Overall, crewing agencies’ participation in responsible recruitment programmes is not just about compliance, but also a smart business strategy to increase competitiveness, reduce risk, and contribute to a fairer and more sustainable fishing industry.
Shipowner
Responsible recruitment programmes in the fishing industry are becoming increasingly important to ensure ethical and sustainable labour practices. For shipowners, participating in these programmes is not only a matter of compliance, but also provides significant benefits.
Improved Reputation and Market Trust:
By implementing responsible recruitment practices, shipowners build a reputation as ethical companies that care about the welfare of their crew.
This increases trust among seafood buyers, retailers, and end consumers who are increasingly aware of social and human rights issues in the fisheries supply chain. A good reputation can open access to premium markets that require high labour standards.
Reduced Legal and Operational Risk:
Unethical recruitment practices can lead to serious legal problems, including claims related to forced labour, human trafficking, and worker rights violations. This can result in large fines, vessel detention, and port entry bans.
Responsible recruitment helps shipowners comply with national and international regulations (such as ILO Convention 188 on Work in Fishing), thereby reducing legal risks and operational disruptions.
Improved Crew Quality and Productivity:
A fair, transparent recruitment process that respects the rights of prospective crew members will attract higher-quality and more motivated workers.
Crew members who feel well-treated tend to be more loyal, have higher morale, and ultimately improve the productivity and efficiency of fishing operations.
Improved Crew Retention and Reduced Costs:
High crew turnover results in additional costs for recruitment, training, and potential operational delays.
By ensuring decent working conditions and responsible recruitment processes, shipowners can improve crew retention, thereby reducing these costs in the long term.
Better Access to Financing and Insurance:
Financial institutions and insurance companies are increasingly considering Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors in their decision-making.
Shipowners who demonstrate a commitment to responsible recruitment and crew welfare will find it easier to access more competitive financing facilities and insurance premiums.
Meeting Global Supply Chain Demands:
Many seafood processing companies, supermarkets, and major global brands have committed to sourcing seafood from responsible sources, including labour aspects.
By participating in responsible recruitment programmes, shipowners can meet these demands and ensure the sustainability of their businesses within the global supply chain.
Better Industrial Relations:
Responsible recruitment practices can help build more harmonious relationships with labour unions and organisations representing crew members.
This can reduce the potential for labour conflicts and create a more stable and productive work environment on board.
Contribution to the Sustainability of the Fishing Industry:
The social welfare of crew members is one of the key pillars of sustainable fishing. By ensuring fair and humane recruitment practices, shipowners contribute to the positive image and long-term sustainability of the fishing industry as a whole.
Fisherman
Responsible recruitment programmes not only benefit crewing agencies, but also, and more importantly, have a significant positive impact on the fishermen or fishing vessel crew themselves. When fishermen participate in or are recruited through responsible recruitment programmes, they receive a number of important protections and benefits.
Protection from Unreasonable Recruitment Costs:
Ship crew members will not be burdened with excessive or illegal recruitment costs. The main principle of responsible recruitment is ‘no fees for job seekers’. This prevents them from falling into debt before they even start working.
Clear and Fair Employment Contracts:
Ship crew members will receive and understand clear employment contracts (Maritime Employment Agreements/PKL) written in a language they understand. These contracts will transparently detail their rights and obligations, working conditions, wages, working hours, leave, and social security.
Fair Wages and Timely Payment:
This programme promotes the establishment of wages in line with applicable minimum standards or collective agreements, and ensures that wages are paid in full and on time as per the contract.
Safe and Healthy Working Conditions:
Responsible recruitment is closely linked to ensuring that the vessels where they work meet safety and health standards. Seafarers are entitled to a safe working environment, adequate personal protective equipment, and access to medical care.
Protection from Forced Labour and Human Trafficking:
This is one of the main objectives. Crew members will be protected from exploitative practices such as document retention, threats, or coercion to work in inhumane conditions. Transparent and ethical recruitment processes drastically reduce this risk.
Access to Effective Complaint Mechanisms:
If problems or rights violations occur on board, crew members will have access to clear, safe, and reliable complaint mechanisms, either through the crewing agency or other authorities, without fear of retaliation.
Certainty of Identity and Documents:
Crew members will not be required to surrender their original identity documents (such as passports or seafarer’s books) to agents or shipowners as collateral.
Freedom of Association and Organisation:
The right of crew members to join a trade union or similar organisation is respected, which can provide them with collective representation and support.
Overall Improvement in Welfare:
With the guarantee of basic rights, better working conditions, and fair wages, the welfare of crew members and their families will improve. They can work with greater peace of mind and focus on their jobs.
Accurate and Complete Information:
Ship crew members will receive honest and accurate information about their jobs, conditions on board, destination countries (if working on foreign ships), and their rights before signing a contract or departing.