These make a significant contribution to the country’s economic stability
Filipino seafarers earn an estimated US$1 billion a year for their home economy, according to the Philippines department of labour and employment (DOLE).
Filipino seafarers number about 300,000 and make up a significant proportion of the world’s maritime workforce. Addressing the first-ever international seafarers’ families’ convention in Manila on 4 and 5 August, DOLE secretary Rosalindo Dimapilis-Baldoz said that money remitted home by Filipino seafarers made a significant contribution to the country’s economic stability, and helped the government fund various development projects.
For a report of the international seafarers’ families’ convention, see: http://www.itfglobal.org/news-online/index.cfm/newsdetail/6289
Source: ITF