DFW Indonesia invites media representatives and the public to join the “Media Briefing: Systemic Wage Theft in Indonesia’s Industrial Capture Fisheries” on Monday, 25 May 2026, at 10.00 WIB via Zoom through bit.ly/risetpengupahan and live streaming on the DFW Indonesia Official YouTube channel.
MARITIMEPOSTS.COM – Between 2024 and 2025, DFW Indonesia conducted an in-depth study on the wage system for fishing vessel crews (awak kapal perikanan/AKP) in Indonesia’s industrial capture fisheries sector.
The findings revealed alarming labor practices in which many crew members are forced to bear operational costs that should be the responsibility of vessel owners.
These include fuel expenses, logistics, engine repairs, and even docking costs, all deducted directly from gross fishing revenues before wages are distributed.
The research uncovered severe cases of wage exploitation that reflect systemic injustice within the fisheries industry. Some fishing crew members reportedly received only Rp500,000 after working at sea for six months continuously.
This amount is equivalent to approximately Rp2,777 per day—less than the cost of parking a motorcycle in many Indonesian cities. Such conditions raise serious concerns about labor rights, fair wages, and the protection of workers in the maritime sector.
Through this media briefing, DFW Indonesia seeks to highlight the hidden realities faced by fishing crews and to encourage broader public discussion about labor exploitation in industrial fisheries.
The event will present key findings from the research, including patterns of wage deductions, unequal profit-sharing systems, and the weak protection mechanisms currently experienced by fishing workers across Indonesia.
The discussion is expected to provide journalists, academics, policymakers, civil society organizations, and the wider public with a deeper understanding of how exploitative wage practices continue to occur within the fisheries sector.
It also aims to encourage stronger policy reforms, transparency, and accountability in ensuring decent work and fair compensation for fishing crews.
DFW Indonesia invites media representatives and the public to join the “Media Briefing: Systemic Wage Theft in Indonesia’s Industrial Capture Fisheries” on Monday, 25 May 2026, at 10.00 WIB via Zoom through bit.ly/risetpengupahan and live streaming on the DFW Indonesia Official YouTube channel.
The event will serve as an important platform to amplify the voices of fishing workers and push for meaningful change in Indonesia’s maritime labor system.
