In commemoration of the International Day of the Seafarers 2026, the International Seafarers Action Center and the Concerned Seafarers of the Philippines organized a speakout event entitled “After the Ceasefire: Seafarers Fight Back!” held in the National Council of Churches in the Philippines.
The event aimed to raise the ongoing plight, hardships and struggles of Filipino seafarers impacted by the global economic crisis and the US-led war on Iran, and expose the realities of exploitative and inhumane working conditions at sea and the government neglect they face when seeking assistance and protection from the Philippine government.
“Kahit may ceasefire na, nalalagay pa din sa panganib ang buhay at kaligtasan ng ating mga marino dahil nagpapatuloy pa din ang mga atake ng Israel. Nariyan pa din ang bulnerabilidad na matarget ang kanilang mga barko at mastranded ng maraming buwan, mga problema ng overextended contracts, fatigue, stress, pagbabawas ng sahod. Kinausap ni Marcos ang Gobyerno ng Iran na hindi sasalakayin ang mga barko ng Pilipino pero hangin lang yun kasi halos wala nang barko na may hawak na Philippine flag. Ang mga seafarer natin na nasa Strait of Hormuz ay naapektuhan at nakukulong sa Iran dahil hindi naman sila exempted” saad ni Atty. Edwin dela Cruz, Pangulo ng International Seafarers Action Center
“Filipino seafarers working in cargo ships are seeing their wages being cut off so that shipowners can save costs due to expense prices of oil. Meanwhile Filipino cruiseship workers continue to be detained and imprisoned by Borderland Security Patrol despite having legal working documents. Our organizations here in the United States have reached out to the Philippine Embassy multiple times but they continue to ignore us. Ambassador Romualdez supports Trump’s anti migrant policies” stated Adrian from Tanggol Migrante Movement USA
“Pinabayaan kami ng manning agency nung na revoke ang aming US visa ng wala kaming ginawang kasalanan. Hindi kami ipinagtanggol o tinulungan kahit ilang taon na akong nagtrabaho sa kanila at maganda ang aking rekord. Nahihirapan kami ngayon maghanap ng trabaho dahil nakakaranas kami ng diskriminasyon” ayon kay Fernandito Barcelon, Seafarer
“Nagtrabaho ako sa isang barkong pangisda at ang pinirmahan kong kontrata na inaprubahan ng DMW ay hindi natupad. Imbis na USD 550 ang sahod ko, naging USD 370 na lang. Nakaranas ako na kumain ng expired na pagkain sa barko para mabuhay lang. Hindi ako binigyan ng pagkakataon na makausap pamilya ko dahil wala kaming akses sa internet. Kami pa ang magmamakaawa sa sahod namin at puro deduction lang hindi pa nga namin natatanggap sahod namin. Sa loob ng isang taon na kontrata, wala akong natanggap na sahod, singil pa kami ng deduction ng manning agency”, ayon kay Manny Castanas, Seafarer
The International Seafarers Action Center and the Concerned Seafarers of the Philippines are amplifying their campaign to advance the rights and welfare of Filipino seafarers. The campaign pushes for the following demands: Job security and living wage, full labor rights and protection, end all forms of discrimination, stop mandatory fees and 80% remittance, Government subsidy for training and education, push for a genuine national maritime industry in the Philippines and end all wars of aggression.
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