AICHR consultations for effective referral mechanisms for all migrant workers including migrant fishers

The ILO and IOM participated in the consultation on human rights and countering trafficking in persons, and on referral systems for gender-based violence (GBV) and trafficking in persons (TIP). The consultations were co-organized over three days on 26-28 June 2023 by the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), the Indonesia’s National Commission on the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Over 70 participants representing Ministries of Labour of ASEAN Members State, stakeholders, and Human Rights Working Group (HRWG) shared lessons learned and exchanged their experiences in providing referral services. At the consultations, the ILO highlighted working condition on board fishing vessels, its characteristics, pervasive decent work deficits onboard fishing vessels, its transnational challenges, and forced labour issues and shared how the ASEAN can also move forward to develop the referral system by putting attention to the specific characteristics of the work onboard fishing vessels. Meanwhile, the IOM emphasised a survivor-centred approach in referral systems that respects survivors’ voices, choices, and consent throughout the process. The consultations concluded with recommendations on the effective referral mechanisms which aim to cover all migrant workers, including migrant fishers.