ITF, AMOSUP and Philippine Government Sign Seafarer Welfare Agreement
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), the Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP) and the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) have signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding to support Filipino seafarers and their families. The ceremonial signing was hosted by AMOSUP, the Manila-based union, as part of its 66th founding anniversary celebrations in the Philippines, and the ITF announced it on 12 November.
The agreement sets up a framework for coordinated, timely and practical help for seafarers. It covers information sharing, joint handling of individual cases, and assistance in cases of piracy, travel through high-risk areas and abandonment. It also includes welfare and family support, and joint training, research and consultations on seafarers’ rights, safety, mental health and international labour standards.
The parties said the agreement comes as wars and tensions in the Middle East put crews at growing risk. In the past week alone, a Filipino seafarer was killed when the tanker Velos Sapphire was attacked in the Persian Gulf, and his remains and 21 crewmates are being brought home.
From the CrewMirror Blog
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the MoU fits the government’s Voyage Plan 2030, which aims to keep the Philippines the world’s top source of seafarers. AMOSUP President Dr Conrado Oca said it “reaffirms our shared ideals” in protecting Filipino crews, while ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton stressed the federation’s role in setting global standards for seafarers.
Closer cooperation between a government, a national union and the global federation could speed up help in difficult cases, such as when a ship is abandoned and crews are left unpaid.
CrewMirror Takeaway
Joint agreements like this work best when seafarers report problems early. Crews facing unpaid wages, abandonment or unsafe voyages can benefit by contacting their union and their national welfare authority at the same time, so that cases are followed up from both sides.
