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Lured by false promises, Indonesian fishermen face abuses aboard foreign vessels at sea

An estimated 300,000 Indonesians work on foreign fishing vessels, making them one of the top contributors of labour for the global fishing industry.

Published: 7:46pm, 20 Jul 2026Updated: 7:46pm, 20 Jul 2026

Indonesian migrant fishers are facing exploitation aboard foreign vessels. Lured by false promises, many take on jobs at sea unaware of their basic rights or the content of their contract. Despite being trapped under these conditions, thousands choose to endure gruelling shifts and systemic abuse rather than face low wages back home.

Lured by false promises, Indonesian fishermen face abuses aboard foreign vessels at sea

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}An estimated 300,000 Indonesians work on foreign fishing vessels, making them one of the top contributors of labour for the global fishing industry.

An estimated 300,000 Indonesians work on foreign fishing vessels, making them one of the top contributors of labour for the global fishing industry.