1,500 Filipino seafarers refused to sail in past three years amid risks

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Tuesday said about 1,500 Filipino seafarers have exercised their rights to refuse sailing over the past three years amid security risks at sea.

In a media interview at the opening of the two-day Philippine Maritime Convention at The Manila Hotel, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the government is upholding the right of seafarers to decline deployment to areas where their safety may be at risk, particularly amid continuing attacks and conflict in parts of the Middle East and the Black Sea.

“As it stands, in the last three years, around 1,500 Filipino seafarers have exercised their right to refuse sailing. Some of them, in fact, Filipino captains have stood firm for the protection of their seafarers,” Cacdac said

This year alone, he said about 500 seafarers exercised this right.

Cacdac said seafarers who refuse to sail are entitled to repatriation and two months’ compensation, while ships returning to high-risk areas must undergo security assessments and have appropriate safety measures.

He said the Philippine government also makes sure that seafarers who exercise the right are not discriminated against when they seek to return to sea.

Cacdac said the DMW has issued advisories for Filipino seafarers to avoid the Strait of Hormuz because of the volatile security situation there.

He also said the government is investigating reports involving Filipino seafarers aboard ships that may have entered restricted areas.

“We're investigating the current round of attacks and will impose the necessary measures if we find that there are violations of the UN (United Nations) rules,” Cacdac said.

He said the government considers any attack on ships a threat to seafarers, regardless of the type or scale of the attack.

Strong maritime systems

Meanwhile, Cacdac stressed the need to strengthen the country’s maritime systems to ensure better protection of Filipino seafarers.

“Our aspiration is clear: To strengthen a Philippine maritime system where the seafarer is protected, competent, respected, and prepared for the future,” he said.

He noted that the effective implementation of the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers should be supported by strong maritime regulation, ethical recruitment, quality education and training, labor justice, responsive services, and international cooperation.

He also called for closer cooperation among government, labor, industry, academe, and international partners as the global maritime industry changes.

"Let us ensure that whatever direction the maritime industry takes, the Filipino seafarer remains at the center of our journey," Cacdac said.

The Philippine Maritime Convention 2026, organized by the DMW in partnership with the Maritime Industry Authority, Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines, and Joint Manning Group, seeks to turn discussions on maritime policies into concrete commitments and strengthen cooperation among government, industry, and labor for the welfare of Filipino seafarers. (PNA)