TIM eMagazine Vol.3 Issue 8
S
eafarers Rights International (SFI), a UK-based
organization, in partnership with the Department of
Labour and Employment (DOLE) and the International
Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and ITF Seafarers’
Trust jointly hosted the First Regional Meeting of the Fair
Treatment of Seafarers in The Event of a Maritime Accident
last November 13 at the Centennial Hall A of The Manila
Hotel.
Representatives from the maritime sector from the different Asian
countries that took part came from Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia,
Vietnam, India, the Maldives, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Brunei, China
and Singapore. The event culminated in the Manila Declaration that will
pave the way for stronger seafarer protection and fair treatment to be
agreed upon among stakeholders in the light of recent incidents of piracy
and other marine-related crimes. (Please see details of the Summary of
Statements of the Manila Declaration in boxed article).
The Manila Declaration is as follows:
“WE, the participants who attended the First Regional Meeting on the
Fair Treatment of Seafarers for Asia in the Event of a Maritime Accident
jointly hosted by the Philippine Department of Labor and Employment
and Seafarers’ Rights International:
RECOGNIZING that Asia is the largest regional supplier of seafarers to
the international fleet and that seafarers are essential to the conduct of
international trade and are a special category of worker;
RECOGNIZING ALSO the global nature of the shipping industry and the
different jurisdictions with which seafarers may be brought into contact
and that seafarers need special protection;
RECOGNIZING FURTHER that the rights and duties of all role players
and stakeholders in the shipping industry should be fair and balanced and
that seafarers should be treated fairly in the event of a maritime accident;
NOTING that the Guidelines on the fair treatment of seafarers in the
event of a maritime accident (the Guidelines) were jointly promulgated by
the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Labor
Organization (ILO);
NOTING ALSO that the IMO and ILO have reiterated the importance
of the Guidelines and invited Member Governments to implement the
Guidelines to the extent possible;
NOTING FURTHER that the implementation of the Guidelines is
voluntary and that the Guidelines do not seek to interfere with any State's
domestic, criminal, or civil law; and
AFFIRMING the need to ensure the fair treatment of seafarers as well as
shipowners in the event of a maritime accident;
DO HEREBY AGREE TO ENDEAVOUR TO:
Raise further awareness relating to the Guidelines; and
Develop further education, training and human capacity relating to the
Guidelines; and
Extend and develop further cooperation relating to the Guidelines as
outlined in the hereto attached Summation of Statements put forward
The need for greater regulation and protection of seafarers is much needed in the light of recent
sea piracy incidents that have taken place globally and the need to combat this dilemma that
affects seafarers, while at the same time, disrupting trade routes. Piracy is considered to be a major
crime against humanity with painful economic repercussions that inhibit trade, endanger maritime
communication and risk the lives of those men and women that help navigate those vessels at the
same time.
during this meeting.”
The need for greater regulation and protection of seafarers is much
needed in the light of recent sea piracy incidents that have taken place
globally and the need to combat this dilemma that affects seafarers, while
at the same time, disrupting trade routes. Piracy is considered to be a
major crime against humanity with painful economic repercussions that
inhibit trade, endanger maritime communication and risk the lives of those
men and women that help navigate those vessels at the same time.
The whole-day event was to raise awareness of guidelines among all
stakeholders in the commercial maritime sector and to explore how to
develop resources, knowledge, skill, enhance partnerships and implement
measures in relation to guidelines that will promote safety for seafarers via
legally mandated provisions being worked out by, and between concerned
bodies such as SFI, ITF and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
The guidelines, however, will not interfere with domestic, criminal and
civil laws of different countries, but asserts the rights and obligations of
seafarers to when the balance is addressed, and how stakeholders such as
shipowners/operators will respond to such.
Carlos Salinas, IMO Maritime Ambassador-Philippines stressed that
fair treatment is a basic right that promotes equality and transcends race,
gender, colour, creed and disability; this also is needed to continue to
represent the maritime sector and its stakeholders effectively, being an
indispensable global industry that contributes to economic growth among
and between several regions. The care of maritime professions following
maritime casualties must be strengthened, added Salinas. There is also
the need for both the IMO and ILO (International Labour Organization) to
stress the greater need for fair treatment by applying the necessary laws/
regulations that will benefit seafarers.
“How do we ensure that the rights under the IMO are not eroded?
There must also be increased awareness of these rights, and we in the
industry must not allow the mistreatment of our seafarers. Now’s the time
for us stakeholders to come together, to get with a must-do approach
to generate a vibrant image for the industry to move this world in more
ways than one—and to reinforce why shipping is the mover of the world,”
Salinas emphasized.
DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III emphasized how Asia has become the
largest supplier of seafarers in the world, of which he added that they are a
highly specialized breed and need special protection. “There should be fair,
balanced treatment in the event of a maritime accident. And the Manila
Declaration is one sure step that there is something that can be done,” he
stressed of which Stephen Cotton, ITWF General Secretary added, “This
is also a phenomenal response as the maritime industry comes together.
We must come forward to raise more awareness and this will take a lot of
work. But this represents the start of the next chapter, of which will greatly
benefit our seafarers.”
OPComm Publications
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