- The two-phase dissemination event underscores DFW Indonesia’s broader advocacy for decent work within Indonesia’s fisheries sector.
- It positions tuna-processing workers as central contributors to the nation’s seafood economy but also as individuals whose rights must be protected through stronger governance, accountability, and transparency.
maritimeposts.com/ – DFW Indonesia (Destructive Fishing Watch Indonesia) held a two-stage dissemination event to present the latest findings on the working conditions of tuna-processing workers in Indonesia.
The event is part of a broader initiative carried out throughout 2025, aimed at revealing the often-overlooked vulnerabilities experienced by workers in one of the country’s most important export industries.
The dissemination drew together civil-society organizations, government representatives, industry players, and worker groups to examine how global market dynamics, contract systems, and regulatory oversight shape the everyday realities of workers in tuna-processing plants.
Research Across Indonesia’s Tuna Hubs
Since May 2025, DFW Indonesia has conducted rapid-assessment research in key tuna-processing centers including Jakarta, Bali, and North Sulawesi. These locations represent major industrial nodes in Indonesia’s tuna supply chain, supplying both domestic and international markets.
Findings were later presented in a series of stakeholder discussions held in Bitung, Benoa (Bali), and North Jakarta. The research was conducted with the participation of several companies, including PT Kiara Multi Lestari, and supported by local community partners.
Short-Term Contracts and Workforce Instability
In the dissemination, DFW Indonesia’s Human Rights Officer, Nabila Tauhida, emphasized that the workforce in tuna-processing factories is highly flexible and mobile.
Many workers shift between factories, employed through short-term contracts (PKWT) lasting three months to one year. This structure aligns with the industry’s production system, which is often based on pre-order volumes and fluctuating availability of raw materials.
However, this flexibility comes at a cost. Workers face substantial employment insecurity: contract extensions are unpredictable, termination is common, and the fear of losing work discourages workers from reporting grievances or exercising basic rights.
One company cited in the research laid off up to 60 percent of its workforce in early 2025 following trade policy changes in the United States. At the same time, DFW Indonesia found workers who have had their three-month contracts renewed repeatedly for up to six years—an indication of structural dependency masked by temporary employment arrangements.
A “Chilling Effect” That Silences Workers
The study notes that workers often prioritize the hope of contract renewal above concerns over wages, safety, or benefits.
This precarious position creates what the report describes as a “chilling effect”: a systematic discouragement of workers from raising questions about workplace safety, overtime pay, or welfare provisions.
According to DFW Indonesia, this phenomenon is not marginal—it is widespread across factories and significantly weakens workers’ bargaining position. The constant fear of being replaced by new contract workers further reinforces silence.
Economic Growth Masks Human Vulnerability
Indonesia’s fisheries export performance has shown consistent growth in recent years. E
xport values rose from USD 4.56 billion in 2021 to USD 4.81 billion during January–October 2024. Tuna-processing facilities contribute significantly to this upward trend.
DFW Indonesia cautions, however, that these numbers obscure the lived realities of the workforce behind the production lines. The increase in export volume has not necessarily translated into improved labor conditions.
Instead, rising demand may have deepened reliance on flexible, easily replaceable contract labor.
Government Commitment and the Need for Stronger Oversight
The dissemination also involved the Directorate General for Strengthening Competitiveness of Marine and Fisheries Products (PDSPKP) under the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP).
In the discussion, government representatives reaffirmed their commitment to improving workforce competency in the fisheries sector through training and technical guidance for companies and workers.
DFW Indonesia urged the government to go further by strengthening oversight of the widespread use of short-term contracts (PKWT), ensuring compliance with labor standards, and actively promoting safer and more equitable working environments.
Towards Decent Work in the Tuna Industry
The two-phase dissemination event underscores DFW Indonesia’s broader advocacy for decent work within Indonesia’s fisheries sector.
It positions tuna-processing workers as central contributors to the nation’s seafood economy but also as individuals whose rights must be protected through stronger governance, accountability, and transparency.
By surfacing the vulnerabilities of these workers, DFW Indonesia aims to build momentum for reforms that ensure the benefits of global seafood trade do not come at the expense of the people keeping the industry afloat.