PH leads UN push to protect seafarers

October 18 ------ THE Philippines has called for stronger international safeguards for seafarers caught in armed conflicts and other crises, with its top diplomat in Geneva highlighting the country’s vital stake in protecting a workforce that accounts for about a quarter of the world’s seafarers.

Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Carlos Sorreta led the discussion during a panel on Oct. 5 at the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, where participants examined ways to strengthen protection for seafarers stranded, abandoned or detained in crises. “Protecting their rights and welfare is a key pillar of Philippine foreign policy,” Sorreta said, describing the discussions as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation among maritime stakeholders and address the human rights challenges confronting crews caught in crises.

Panelists warned that commercial vessels and their crews are increasingly exposed to hostilities in conflict-affected waters, including the Strait of Hormuz, where ships face missile and drone strikes. Seafarers stranded for indefinite periods may be left without adequate consular assistance, food, water and other necessities.

The panel also raised alarm over rising cases of abandonment and unpaid wages. Mark Dickinson, seafarer vice chairman of the International Labor Organization’s Special Tripartite Committee of the Maritime Labor Convention, cited International Transport Workers’ Federation figures showing that 6,223 seafarers were abandoned aboard 410 vessels in 2025.

The figures represented increases of 32 percent in abandoned seafarers and 31 percent in affected vessels. Unpaid wages reached $25.8 million, of which $16.5 million had been recovered for affected workers, Dickinson said. Seafarers also face exploitation by criminal networks, unfair criminalization, arbitrary detention and denial of due process, the panelists noted.

In response, participants urged governments and maritime stakeholders to recognize seafarers as key workers and uphold international human rights standards and decent working and living conditions at sea, recalling the Philippines-led Human Rights Council Resolution 56/18 adopted in July 2024. Proposals included establishing a coordination mechanism to assist crews threatened by missiles, drones and sea mines, as well as a dedicated UN task force to address the unfair criminalization and arbitrary detention of seafarers. The side event, co-organized by the UN human rights office, the ILO, and the International Maritime Organization, was co-sponsored by the Philippines and Bangladesh.

Source: manilatimes.net