Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda made the above statement at a discussion held at Taj Samudra Hotel on  2023-12-08 when the Draft regulations pertaining to ILO C188 Work in Fishing Convention, 2007, developed with Technical support from the ILO and funding from DFAT and the government of Norway, were presented to the Hon. Douglas Devananda, the Minister of Fisheries, Hon. Manusha Nanayakkara, the Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment, Hon. Piyal Nishantha De Silva, the State Minister of Fisheries, His Excellency  Paul Stephens, Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and Mrs. Simrin Singh, the Director, ILO Country Office for Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

The Minister further stated that the Ratification and Compliance of C188 would see substantial benefits in not only improving working conditions, creating additional employment, and facilitating labour retention, but also generating significant economic returns to Sri Lanka by enhancing the sector’s global competitiveness. It also sets the foundation for long-term growth and sustainability of the country’s Fisheries sector. In Sri Lanka, the Fisheries sector is an important contributor to food security, nutrition, trade, employment, and export earnings. It is also amongst the most impacted sectors by the prevailing economic crisis. Signifying the Government’s commitment to strengthening the country's Fisheries Sector and improving decent work conditions, the draft regulations will act as a key documentation in supporting the development and submission of a joint cabinet paper by the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment and the Ministry of Fisheries in furthering Sri Lanka’s journey towards ratification of C188. The Minister presented the Draft act that was prepared with the addition of new rules and regulations to the existing No: 2 of the 1996 Act of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, after a lengthy study, and stated that he is very keen in this regard and has inspiration since he is from a family involved in the Trade Union movement and his father and uncle were pioneers in working with International Labour Organization.

Hon. Minister of Fisheries expressed his confidence in Sri Lanka finalizing and ratifying the convention with the support of all partners, stating “Fishers must be accorded the rights and protection they deserve, the Ministry wholeheartedly endorses the decent work agenda for Fisheries Sector”

Speaking at the event Hon. Manusha Nanayakkara, Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment expressed strong support towards Sri Lanka ratifying C188, stating that “Providing dignity of work to Fishers is not only a legal obligation but also a moral duty, and it is a part of larger efforts by the Ministry to create a more robust social-security system for Sri Lanka’s private sector workers including Fishers.”

Expressing views His Excellency Paul Stephens, Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka said, “Enhancing economic opportunities for all Sri Lankans to thrive is an important feature of Australia’s development support to Sri Lanka. The fisheries sector is of particular importance as a driver for growth and decent work-investments in Blue Swimmer, Crab, Giant Prawns, and Sea Cucumber value chains has dividends that are uplifting lives, and the sector. We hope the Government will move forward in its journey to ratifying C188.”

Highlighting the importance of the convention Mrs. Simrin Singh, Director of ILO Country Office for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, said, “As Sri Lanka works towards strengthening its economic recovery and resilience, ratification of C188 offers both dignity and protection for workers, and is a golden opportunity for the industry’s growth. We are encouraged by the commitment from both the Ministry of Fisheries and the Ministry of Labour. The ILO will continue to steadfastly support Sri Lanka’s promising efforts towards the earliest ratification of C188.”

The Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka  His Excellency Paul Stephens, Directress of ILO country office for Sri Lanka and the Maldives Mrs. Simrin Singh, Secretary to the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment and the Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries Mrs. Indu Rathnayake and group of Higher Officials attended the event.