Consultation on Ratification and Implementation of the Work in Fishing Convention, 2007

The Department of Transport is carrying out a public consultation on the ratification and implementation of the Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (WIF Convention). The Convention aims to ensure decent working and living conditions for fishers with regard to minimum requirements for work on board fishing vessels, conditions of service, food and accommodation, occupational safety and health protection, medical care and social security. While most of the Convention’s provisions are already in force in Ireland, some provisions are not. Ratification of the Convention will allow us to enforce all of the provisions.

Below you will find a consultation document providing details about the WIF Convention. Appendix 1 sets out how the Convention is currently applied and enforced in Ireland. Appendix 2 contains a table laying out all the provisions of the WIF Convention, how they are provided for currently in Irish law and how we propose to provide for them once the Convention has been ratified.

How to get involved

We invite interested parties to read the consultation document and send their views to us. All views are welcome. We are particularly interested in the views of people working in the fishing industry, both employers and fishers. Operators of fishing vessels less than 15 metres in length are encouraged to submit their views as such vessels fall within the scope of the WIF Convention. The views of operators of small and medium enterprises in the sector would be gratefully received.

Submissions can be made by email to maritimesafetypolicydivision@transport.gov.ie, with “Consultation on the Work in Fishing Convention” in the subject line. Alternatively, submissions may be sent by post to the following address:

Maritime Safety Policy Division

Department of Transport

Leeson Lane

Dublin 2

D02 TR60.

The deadline for the receipt of submissions is 5 pm on Friday, 30 May 2025.