400,000 Seafarers Face Risk of Sailing Ban

January 15 ------ Filipino seafarers, numbering over 400,000, are facing an uncertain future due to an audit by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), which revealed significant noncompliance by the Philippines with international maritime safety standards. The EMSA aims to mitigate maritime risks, including accidents and pollution, and its findings are critical for the employability of Filipino seafarers on European Union (EU) vessels.

In 2022, EMSA highlighted deficiencies in the training and certification processes of Philippine maritime education institutions, stating they did not meet the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. If the European Commission endorses these findings, Filipino seafarers could lose recognition of their competency certifications, effectively barring them from employment on EU-flagged ships and jeopardizing their livelihoods.

Celia Dejond from the European Commission indicated that existing certificates would remain valid only until expiration (typically five years) if a withdrawal decision is made. As the Commission reviews the Philippines’ extensive response to the audit, a final decision is anticipated by the end of the first quarter of 2023.

The situation is tense for many Filipino seafarers, such as 23-year-old Jan Bren Fermin, whose aspirations hinge on compliance with European regulations. He expressed his concerns about losing opportunities to work on European ships. Veteran sailor Nicanor Castro underscored that the Philippine government should have acted sooner to address the issues and prevent this predicament.

EMSA has issued warnings about the Philippines’ noncompliance since 2006. During a recent Philippine Senate hearing, officials acknowledged that 2022 is the critical year for adhering to international standards, warning of potential ripple effects on other maritime-related sectors. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has met with EU transport officials to assure compliance efforts, emphasizing the government’s commitment to improving maritime training and education.

Despite government assurances of ongoing reforms and reduced audit findings, labor rights activists criticized these efforts as insufficient. Edwin Dela Cruz from the rights group Migrante International argued that the government has not provided adequate resources to elevate maritime education to meet international standards, relying too heavily on private institutions.

The Philippines is the world’s leading provider of seafarers, contributing around 380,000 to the global shipping workforce. Filipino seafarers sent home approximately $6.54 billion in remittances in 2021. The pandemic severely impacted their livelihoods, leaving many stranded at sea amid lockdowns and border closures. Although deployment has started to return to normal, the looming uncertainty regarding compliance with European standards poses additional challenges for these workers.

As the situation develops, the future of Filipino seafarers hangs in the balance, highlighting the need for decisive government action to align maritime training with international expectations and secure the employability of its seafarers.

Source: maritimefairtrade.org