Bitung, 23rd September 2025 – One of the key points in the global tuna supply chain is located in Indonesia, specifically in Bitung, North Sulawesi. Today’s situation happens inseparable from the support of thousands of fishery workers, and various actors that contributed most to boost the economic growth as they connect both domestic and international markets. This growth certainly needs more efforts to protect the labor rights of those working in the fisheries sector, particularly the fishery workers. Destructive Fishing Watch (DFW) Indonesia, over the past six years through the National Fishers Center (NFC) Indonesia, has recorded 167 cases involving 439 victims who experienced poor working conditions aboard vessels, some of which are suspected to be cases of human trafficking.
In response to this issue, DFW Indonesia, in collaboration with the Bitung Marine and Fisheries Polytechnic (or known as Politeknik Kelautan dan Perikanan Bitung), held “Public Lecture: Education on the Prevention of Human Trafficking and Forced Labor for Prospective Workers in the Marine and Fisheries Sector”. The lecture was attended by 260 participants, including lecturers and cadets from the Bitung Marine and Fisheries Polytechnic. The event featured several speakers: Gifliyani K. Nayoan, Interim Head of the Center for Gender and Child Studies at the State Christian Institute (or known as Institut Agama Kristen Negeri/ IAKN) Manado, Siska Pangalila, Secretary of the Bitung City Manpower Office, and Cindy Mudeng, Field Facilitator of DFW Indonesia.
Rudi Saranga, Director of the Bitung Marine and Fisheries Polytechnic, stated that the public lecture serves as an educational opportunity for the cadets. Rudi said that the lecture could provide an initial foundation for cadets who will be working at sea. “The potential for human trafficking is a crime that we can’t entirely avoid when working on vessels. Therefore, we welcome this public lecture initiative as a way to enhance the cadets’ understanding of the risks of human trafficking and even human smuggling above the sea,” said Rudi.
In 2025, transnational human trafficking cases increased, especially in North Sulawesi. The number of trafficking victims continues to rise, including both those with low and high levels of education. “Illegal migrant workers are transported from Bolaang Mongondow to Manado before being taken to Jakarta. Once in Jakarta, they are sent to Batam and finally arrive in Cambodia,” said Gifliyani.
On that occasion, Siska Pangalila, Secretary of the Bitung City Manpower Office, emphasized the important role of written employment agreements. According to her, a written agreement between Indonesian migrant workers and their employers can help minimize the risk of forced labor and human trafficking. Legislation can effectively protect workers through such agreements, as they outline the terms of employment, the rights and obligations of both parties, and guarantees for safety and security during employment. “If you are interested in working abroad, then become a legal migrant worker. By working legally, your protection is guaranteed by the state—before, during, and after your employment period,” she said.
According to DFW Indonesia, through the NFC in North Sulawesi, there have been 45 complaints involving approximately 92 victims. The majority of these complaints—around 68.9%—originated from within the country, while 31.1% came from abroad. The most common types of complaints handled by NFC were related to unpaid wages or wage deductions, accounting for about 40%, and issues concerning insurance or social security, which made up 33.3%. Vessel-owning companies and labor recruitment agencies were the most frequently reported, each accounting for 40% of the cases.
Based on the NFC’s case handling, Cindy Mudeng, Field Facilitator of DFW Indonesia, explained that victims are trapped through three main patterns: deception during the initial recruitment stage, debt bondage as a condition for departure, and promises of high salaries. According to her, these three patterns not only serve as entry points for exploitation but also reflect vulnerabilities that are formed before the workers even board the vessels. These vulnerabilities from that pattern then continue once the workers are already boarded the vessel. “Issues and cases in the fisheries labor sector involve the withholding of documents as collateral, limited access to insurance and social security, and the use of informal recruitment practices,” she explained.
Cindy also highlighted the low levels of education, information, and access to complaint services for fisheries workers. Therefore, DFW Indonesia has established the NFC, which can be accessed by fisheries workers across Indonesia, free of charge. In addition to complaint services, NFC also provides information and education services, as well as referrals and data.
“Perhaps after graduation, if any of you who will work on fishing vessels encounter difficulties in your work or need assistance with information related to fisheries workers, please feel free to contact NFC via our hotline on WhatsApp or our website, nfc.or.id,” she concluded.
