Filipino seafarers are facing ongoing issues of abandonment and abuse, largely due to fear of job loss if they speak out. At the recent International Conference on Seafarers’ Human Rights in Manila, Captain Jasmin Labarda from the Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines highlighted that many seafarers have come to accept these abuses as the norm. The fear of not being believed or losing their jobs silences their voices.
Abandonment by shipowners, especially during financial crises, leaves seafarers stranded with limited food, water, and fuel. Labarda noted that these incidents are more frequent than reported, with shipowners often evading accountability by registering vessels in countries with lenient regulations, a practice known as “flags of convenience.”
Labor Assistant Secretary Lennard Serrano emphasized the need for better coordination among International Labor Organization member states to address seafarers’ distress calls. The Philippine government has sometimes been unaware of urgent issues until informed by the seafarers’ families.
The Manila Declaration, endorsed by the Philippines and nine other nations, aims to uphold the human rights of maritime workers. It includes commitments to enforce labor conventions, respect seafarers’ rights, and promote corporate accountability and inclusion in the industry.
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