Publisher ’ s Note
Beneath their hard work comes fair treatment
L et ’ s face it : our seafarers are recognized globally as one of the best assets of the maritime industry . These unsung heroes of the seas possess those educational , training , work and skills where they have been trained to , and honed , to keep pace with the most exacting industry standards while , at the same time , furthering a strong sense of pride and quality that sets those industry benchmarks geared towards esteem . But beneath all the accolades they receive , our hardworking men and women of these ships do deserve just and fair treatment . More so in line with increasing standards for safety and improved living conditions . Common sense dictates that if workers — seafarers included — get fair treatment from their employers combined with proper working conditions , hours and suitable environments , then these will serve as strong forces for motivation . That spirit called motivation under all these fair and just conditions truly prompts workers to do their best as they become much more productive by improving themselves in terms of skill , proficiency and work attitude ; in the long run , not only do they promote a sense of pride and quality in what they do , they also speak of their employers who promote that strong sense of responsibility to the people that create a big difference to their corporations or , in the case of the maritime sector , their manning and crewing agencies . Let us all remember that human resources are as precious as gold or any other elements , and we need to take care of them to the best that we can . In as much as companies value their image , the people that work behind these companies are the real ones that can make or break them .
PHILIP O . ORTALEZA
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