The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a joint proposal to ratify the International Labour Organization’s Convention (188) on work in the fishing industry, paving the way for new regulations to improve standards in the sector.

The convention, adopted at the 96th International Labour Conference in 2007, sets benchmarks for decent working conditions, access to medical care, health facilities, and safety for fishing communities.

Sri Lanka’s fishing industry, which employs more than 315,000 workers, continues to operate at a basic level due to its traditional practices and faces significant challenges in occupational safety, health, and service conditions. 

Officials said ratification of Convention 188 will help introduce internationally recognized standards to address these issues.

The proposal was presented jointly by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic Resources and Ocean Resources and the Minister of Labour. 

The Cabinet’s approval allows regulations to be implemented as a preliminary step toward establishing the standards required under the convention. (Newswire)

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The government has taken measures to provide key concessions to uplift the economic condition of Sri Lanka’s fisheries community.

According to the government, the former Cabinet had approved remedial measures for the unfavourable impacts on the fishing industry due to the huge increase in fuel prices, but the said decision was not implemented. 

Therefore, the current Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Fisheries, to provide certain concessions for six months effective from 01-10-2024. 

The following are the concessions to be granted by the government to the fisheries community; 

• To grant a subsidy of Rs. 25 per litre of diesel to fishing vessel owners who obtain diesel as fuel, for up to Rs. 300,000 per month for 06 months.
• To provide a subsidy of Rs. 15 per litre of kerosene for vessel owners who obtain kerosene as a fuel, for 25 days per month, limiting to working days only.
• Whenever price revisions are made for diesel and kerosene, the maximum concession price for diesel is Rs.250/- and the concession price for kerosene is Rs. 150/-, subject to the maximum six-month period. 
• This program is maintained in such a way that the fishing communities have received a concession of 7.5 % from the market value for diesel and a concession of 12.5% from the market value for kerosene. (Newswire)

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