The Philippines Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is prepared to sanction ship owners who fail to comply with the right of Filipino seafarers to refuse sailing in the Red Sea area, including blocking exit clearances for non-compliant ships.
According to international news sources, Hans Cacdac, Secretary of the DMW, reported that at least 3,300 Filipino seafarers have expressed their willingness to sail in high-risk areas despite recent rebel attacks. This information was provided during a congressional budget briefing for the DMW’s proposed P7.8 billion budget for 2025.
Recently, 22 Filipino seafarers from the MV Sounion were repatriated after their ship was attacked by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. In response to concerns about safety, Cacdac highlighted that the DMW has implemented policies to allow seafarers to exercise their right of refusal through downloadable forms, a hotline, or verbal requests.
The DMW has also restricted Filipino seafarers from boarding ships owned by companies that have been attacked at least 40 times. Nine ship owners, whose vessels navigate the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, have been barred from employing Filipino crew members due to previous attacks, including incidents where seafarers were killed or went missing.
Cacdac emphasized that any ship owner disregarding seafarers’ rights will face penalties, underscoring the importance of respecting these maritime safety protocols.
