TIM eMagazine Vol.4 Issue 1
EXTENDED AID TO REPATRIATED SEAFARERS AND FAMILIES. Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III assures Arturo Taleño, (left) who is among the
repatriated seafarers from Libya, of assistance. Toleño and the other repatriated seafarers were accompanied by their families on Thursday in
thanking Bello for the government’s help in bringing them back home. Also in photo is OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac.
Credit: Dodong Echavez, IPS
Sustained assistance
for repatriated
seafarers from Libya
The seafarers and their respective
families visited DOLE on Thursday to
thank Bello for the government’s help
in having them released from Libyan
detention last month, and asked for
assistance as their manning agency,
the Bright Maritime Corporation (BMC)
failed to remit their benefits, including
accrued salary from February 2018 to
March 2019.
T
he labor department has assured the seven Filipino
seafarers who were recently repatriated from Libya of
sustained assistance, including making representation
with their manning agency for the payment of their
unclaimed wages and benefits.
Apart from financial and livelihood aid, Labor
Secretary Silvestre Bello III said that DOLE will extend
necessary assistance to the seafarers and their families to help them
start anew.
“We will coordinate with the manning agency to hasten the
payment of their unpaid wages onboard and your other monetary
benefits. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration is also ready
to provide extended assistance for their reintegration through
livelihood assistance and skills training,” Bello said.
The seafarers and their respective families visited DOLE on
Thursday to thank Bello for the government’s help in having them
released from Libyan detention last month, and asked for assistance
as their manning agency, the Bright Maritime Corporation (BMC)
failed to remit their benefits, including accrued salary from February
2018 to March 2019.
Also, ship captain Arturo Taleño, who is among those repatriated
seafarers said their agency is still not providing their hazard pay,
insurance pay on their lost belongings, as well as their post-medical
expenses.
“We are grateful to the DOLE for providing us necessary
assistance to get back on track and we hope that they can help us
again in claiming our unpaid benefits from our agency,” Taleño said.
While waiting for their money claims, Bello meanwhile
encouraged the repatriated seafarers to avail of the reintegration
programs of OWWA, such as the Balik-Pinas! Balik-Hanapbuhay!
Program, Enterprise Development and Loan Program, and
educational scholarships for their children.
The said seafarers were detained in Libya in 2017 for alleged fuel
smuggling and later acquitted by the Libyan High Court on February
28. They returned home on March 12 through the close coordination
among government agencies. https://www.dole.gov.ph/
13