Writer: S. Hendratno
The lives of fishery workers in Aru, both in Fish Processing Units (or locally known as Unit Pengolahan Ikan/UPI) and traditional fishermen, are marked by precariousness. They are the foundation of the local economy, yet they live in various forms of vulnerability. They survive while facing numerous challenges, from low wages to the loss of livelihood due to climate change and policy shifts.
Most Fish Processing Unit workers in Aru work without formal contracts. Their employment status is not recorded in the formal labor system. In their daily work, they have no access to information about the volume of fish being processed, the production schedule, or even the amount of wages they will receive. The daily work system means their pay depends on the production volume—without a minimum wage standard or payment certainty. Because their income relies on production volume, workers can be laid off at any time if the fish supply stops. Their status as daily workers excludes them from labor policies. Moreover, they do not receive any social security, healthcare access, or occupational safety protections. They are the invisible part of a production system that keeps running.
In the production process, UPI workers—especially women—must stand for hours in the processing area. They work in cold, damp rooms without adequate protective equipment. Particularly in UPI companies still operating at the MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise) level, it is rare for employers to provide gloves, rubber boots, or aprons. The companies only provide basic processing tools, which also often fail to meet sanitation standards. Minor accidents are common due to the lack of proper protective gear. Moreover, when there is an excess supply of fish, workers are required to work overtime—often for low pay or no pay at all—as a consequence of their status as daily workers. Injuries, fatigue, and muscle pain are seen as inseparable parts of their daily lives.
Meanwhile, traditional fishermen face similar challenges. They struggle to access subsidized fuel, which is in very limited supply. When they are unable to obtain subsidized fuel, they are forced to buy from local retailers at higher prices than the subsidized rate. If fuel is insufficient, they sometimes choose not to go to sea at all. Apart from the limited access to fuel, the livelihoods of traditional fishermen are also affected by climate change—such as unstable ocean currents, prolonged rainy seasons, and rising sea temperatures. Climate change forces them to sail farther from shore, as it disrupts fish migration patterns. In short, the risks of going to sea are increasing, while their income continues to decline. Some fishermen return home empty-handed but still have to repay debts for fuel and daily necessities.
Observations reveal a power imbalance between Fish Processing Unit owners, fish middlemen, and fishery workers—particularly UPI workers and traditional fishermen. When dealing with UPI owners, fishery workers have little or no at all bargaining power to advocate for better working conditions. Meanwhile, fishermen are at the mercy of middlemen, who unilaterally set the price of their catch, leaving no room for negotiation.
In response to these conditions, local governments and relevant institutions are often absent when it comes to monitoring or formulating policies for informal workers. UPI workers and fishermen are rarely involved in policymaking processes, resulting in their voices going unheard in official forums. Even when they are included, many of these forums are merely symbolic. Grassroots participation must be strengthened to allow workers to directly express their concerns—whether related to wages, protective equipment, access to fuel, or access to markets.
The conditions above reveal that the main issues faced by fishery workers are not only economic, but also related to human rights. Workers in Aru are fighting for recognition: for their labor rights, their existence within the production chain, and their rights as citizens. They support the fisheries industry from the ground up, yet are never invited to take part in decision-making processes.
The story of workers in Aru reflects the fate of coastal workers in many places: resilient, yet overlooked—essential, yet neglected. Without policies that take their side, inequality will only continue to grow. Fishery workers in Aru are not asking for pity; they are demanding a fair system, transparent policies, and clear protections. A crucial first step is recognizing the daily realities they face and translating them into policy. This step is essential to ensure that everyone involved in bringing seafood to the table is treated with dignity and fairness.
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