Press Release
September 5, 2009

CHIZ TO GOV'T: FORGE MARITIME SAFETY PACTS TO PROTECT SEAMEN

Opposition Sen. Chiz Escudero yesterday urged government to forge maritime safety agreements with countries that lie near shipping lanes frequented by pirates, especially those near Somalia and Yemen, to provide protection to our seamen.

The International Maritime Organization has revealed that more than 200 Filipino seafarers have been kidnapped by pirates in the waters between these two countries since 2008. There are presently 22 Filipino seafarers being held hostage by Somali pirates off the coast of Aden.

"While government should continue to develop the local maritime industry by enhancing the skills of Filipino seafarers and creating employment opportunities for them, it should also initiate steps to protect them," the 39-year-old senator said during a recently-held Joint Manning Group General Assembly (JMG).

The JMG is the federation of all maritime manning agencies in the Philippines.

"Bills and laws proposed by maritime agencies should take into consideration the interests and welfare of our seamen, given their presence in ships around the world."

Data from the United Filipino Seafarers show that there are at least 500,000 Filipino seafarers, with more than half employed by foreign shipping agencies.

Of the estimated $15 billion in remittances sent annually by about 12 million Filipino workers abroad, seafarers account for around 30 percent of the total, although they make up less than 15 percent of both land and sea-based OFWs.

Escudero also said the manning industry authorities should see to it that the proper wages are paid and good working conditions provided to Filipino seafarers.

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