DMW: Only 78 Filipino sailors refuse to sail at Red Sea, Gulf of Aden

Seventy-eight Filipino seafarers have so far invoked their right to refuse sailing in high-risk areas and warlike zones like the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Monday. 

Interviewed on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac said that with this low number, “many” Filipino seafarers are still willing to sail in these dangerous areas amid the consecutive attacks of Yemen's pro-Iranian Houthi group. 

“One reason could be ‘yung hazard rates—double ang sweldo. But we are really not considering itong mga hazard rates as a foremost policy approach dito kasi ‘yung sweldo pumapangalawa lang ‘yan sa kanilang proteksyon,” Cacdac said. 

(One reason could be the hazard rates—they get double salaries. But we are really not considering these hazard rates as a foremost policy approach in this case because their protection should come first over salary.) 

Despite this, he said that the DMW still recognizes the freedom to navigate both on the part of seafarers and shipowners. 

“Sige kinikilala ‘yan pero dapat merong proteksyon, merong maritime security escorts, merong armed guards, merong risk and threat assessments muna bago isumite sa atin,” Cacdac said. 

(Okay, we recognize that but there must be protection, maritime security escorts, armed guards, and risk and threat assessments given to seafarers first.) 

The DMW earlier issued guidelines for licensed manning agencies (LMAs) to observe should Filipino seafarers be assigned on ships that would ply high-risk and conflict areas.

Under the Department Order No. 1, the DMW directed LMAs and their accredited principals or employers to consider avoiding passing through the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and nearby territories.

They should also provide the mandated additional compensation and security measures for Filipino seafarers who have agreed to continue their journey in the mentioned locations.

These seafarers should also be given ample time, opportunity, and means to signify their intent to either continue with the voyage or refuse to join the ship in its scheduled passage in these areas.—AOL, GMA Integrated News