Regulating labour and safety standards in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors

Abstract

The general labour and employment laws of many countries do not necessarily take into account the special circumstances of those who work in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors, whereas legislation governing these sectors tends not to integrate appropriate labour standards. This becomes even more of a concern where there is a general weakness in inter-sectoral and inter-institutional coordination mechanisms. This Legislative Study seeks to respond to these challenges by providing guidance on the integration of internationally accepted labour standards into national legislation in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors. It identifies the standards that apply to these sectors and shows how they have been or could be integrated into regulatory frameworks governing organic production and other agricultural commodities, contract farming, pesticide management, forestry, fisheries and other related sectors. The overall aim of the study is to improve relevant regulatory frameworks with regard to the protection of the rights of people who derive their livelihoods in these sectors.