Rationale 3.9

Filter content

by selecting applicable filters below

System

Water Type

Feed Dependent

Species

Rationale 3.9

by Contact on 30 October 2026

With many global standards and local regulations in place, working time is one of the oldest labour concerns.7676International Labour Organization (ILO). (1919). Hours of Work (Industry) Convention, 1919 (No. 1). Geneva, Switzerland: ILO. Excessive working hours are a widespread issue – including within the aquaculture industry – and in some regions are driven by low hourly wages.7777Messenger, J. (2018). Working time and the future of work. Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Organization. An inability to decline excessive overtime, due to wage pressures or fear of dismissal, can result in forced labour and higher levels of fatigue-related accidents.

This Criterion focuses on ASC-certified farms having a framework for regulating hours of work, rest periods and annual holidays – serving also to promote higher productivity while safeguarding employees’ physical and mental health.

Intent – The aquaculture industry implements reasonable working hours that encourage a healthy work-life balance.