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A mental revolution washing ashore with the tide
The whole process of exploitation of fishery resources in Indonesian waters needs to be carefully examined and weaknesses in prevailing regulations addressed in light of the demands of current times.
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Thai and Burmese fishing boat workers sit behind bars inside a cell at the compound of a fishing company in Benjina, Indonesia, Nov. 22, 2014. (AP/Dita Alangkara)
T
he International Conference on Human Rights Protection in the Fishery Industry hosted by the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry on March 27 provided an opportunity for Minister Susi Pudjiastuti to lay out the thinking behind the new regulations she has introduced.
The horrific reality and practice of modern day slavery in Benjina and Ambon that the Associated Press laid bare two years ago had to be addressed, of course, but not a knee-jerk reaction to appear to be taking action. The whole process of exploitation of fishery resources in Indonesian waters needs to be carefully examined and weaknesses in prevailing regulations addressed in light of the demands of current times.
Considering the complexities of the whole situation, the minister brought on board experts respected for their integrity and competence to solidify her bureaucracy. The first step was to regain control of the fisheries industry in Indonesia, which was accomplished through an initial moratorium and relicensing of vessels permitted to operate in its waters. That Indonesia would no longer tolerate illegal fishing was publicly demonstrated by the arrest and ultimate destruction of unlicensed fishing vessels operating within Indonesian territorial waters. This was no mean feat, as she was confronting deeply entrenched interests, with far reaching tentacles.
Her strong resolve boosted the morale of the ministry’s senior officials, who in turn convinced their staff that mediocrity would no longer be tolerated. In hindsight, this provided enough impetus to greatly enhance delivery at all levels, laying the foundation for a process of mindset shift, engendering a “mental revolution” in the real sense.
Meanwhile, a different line of approach was taken to address the issues affecting those actually working in the industry, for part of the heightened consciousness was to acknowledge that they too have certain rights that must be recognized. In this, the ministry was assisted from a technical standpoint by the Foundation for International Human Rights Reporting Standards (FIHRRST) and the support of the Belgian foreign ministry.
This was to prove a lengthy process for while it is easy enough to say that fishermen’s human rights should be respected, exactly what that means and the practicalities of how this can be achieved is another matter. For a start, fishing is not a standard nine to five job, nor by its very nature is it free from physical hazards.
Then, of course, one has to ensure the livelihoods of the many communities of fisherfolk who to date have been least served by the nation’s economic progress.
