Humanity Research Consultancy begins a new project in grievance mechanism pilot development for Distant Water Fishermen in Partnership with the Seafood Task Force

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October 16, 2024
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Updates

Humanity Research Consultancy (HRC) has begun our new project, the “Grievance Mechanism Pilot Development”, in partnership with the Seafood Task Force (STF). This initiative is generously funded and supported by Humanity United (HU) and the Freedom Fund (FF), with HRC collaborating closely with LRQA to drive meaningful change.

In this project, the HRC and LRQA teams will work together to enhance the welfare of distant water fishermen by establishing a roadmap for effective industry grievance mechanisms. LRQA initiates the project with a landscape assessment to pinpoint current challenges in implementing grievance mechanisms and engaging directly with key stakeholders. Following this, HRC will work on developing outreach strategies and conducting data collection. The goal is to gather important feedback and observations from fishermen, vessel owners, and NGO workers. This will provide valuable insights to help improve and refine the grievance mechanism establishment plan. To conclude the project, HRC will deliver a comprehensive professional evaluation and consultation to STF to further enhance the grievance mechanism.

This initiative is a crucial step toward establishing a consultative, best-practice process for developing a safe and effective grievance mechanism for tuna fishermen. By implementing a trusted and efficient system, we aim to mitigate the risks of major human rights abuses on vessels, including human trafficking, non-payment of legal wages, excessive working hours, and safety hazards.

Additionally, we are offering a clear roadmap for vessel owners and industry stakeholders to implement a grievance mechanism that not only addresses their existing challenges but is also practical and effective. Together, we are committed to driving positive change and setting new standards for accountability and transparency at sea.

Stay tuned for more updates on this important work!