Kerala's seafood industry is being asked to strengthen its labour compliance and monitoring systems as requirements linked to international seafood trade receive greater attention.
The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) has asked the Kerala government to form a tripartite committee to monitor labour practices in seafood processing units and across the sector's value chain.
Kerala Yet to Form the Committee
MPEDA has proposed that the committee include representatives from the fisheries and labour departments, seafood industry, labour unions and other stakeholders.
The committee would focus on labour welfare, workplace safety and health, and measures to prevent forced, child, bonded and other exploitative labour practices.
Kerala is among the states that were yet to establish such a committee when MPEDA issued its communication. Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and West Bengal had already formed similar committees, while Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa and Gujarat were still pending.
Why the US Market Matters
The move comes as the United States places greater attention on goods linked to forced labour. The US is India's largest seafood export market, making compliance with its trade requirements important for Indian exporters.
India exported 2,79,209 tonnes of marine products to the US worth around $2.33 billion in 2025–26, according to figures cited in the report.
MPEDA is also planning to work with the International Labour Organization (ILO) to develop a self-assessment checklist for seafood processing units. The checklist is expected to help businesses review their labour practices alongside periodic inspections.
What It Means for Kerala Seafood Businesses
Kerala's seafood industry has maintained that forced labour is not a general concern in the state's sector. However, industry representatives have pointed out that international standards and definitions can differ from local practices.
As international seafood markets increasingly examine conditions throughout the supply chain, processors and exporters may need stronger documentation and monitoring systems to demonstrate compliance.
