DMW issues guidelines for Filipino seafarers traversing Red Sea, Gulf of Aden

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Wednesday issued guidelines for licensed manning agencies (LMAs) to observe should Filipino seafarers be assigned on ships that would ply high-risk and conflict areas.

Based on Department Order No. 1, the guidelines were released “in the paramount interest of the continued safety and well-being of all Filipino seafarers on-board ships and in light of the increasing incidence of piracy, hijacking, and/or armed violence against ships passing through the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and surrounding areas/waters.”

The DMW thus directed LMAs and their accredited principals or employers primarily to consider avoiding the passage through the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and nearby territories.

They should also provide the mandated additional compensation and security measures for Filipino seafarers who have agreed to continue their journey in the mentioned locations.

These seafarers should also be given ample time, opportunity, and means to signify their intent to either continue with the voyage or refuse to join the ship in its scheduled passage in these areas.

Passage of ships with Filipino seafarers onboard in these areas should also be reported as a significant event in the OFW Welfare Monitoring System.

“Failure to report such significant event in a timely manner will result to the imposition of sanctions in accordance with prevailing policies, rules, and regulations,” the order read.

The LMAs are likewise asked to properly implement the decision of seafarers to invoke their right to refuse sailing in such high-risk areas and warlike zones.

Should the Filipino crew decide to invoke this right, the manning agencies must ensure their immediate and safe repatriation back to the Philippines.

The seafarers should also be allowed to freely decide to refuse sailing in the said zones without discrimination and prejudice to their present and future employment.

They will also have to sign a confirmation form that may be accessed through the DMW’s official website at www.dmw.gov.ph. This will be directly submitted to the DMW through email sbhighrisk@dmw.gov.ph, with the LMA and the principal/employer being copy furnished.—RF, GMA Integrated News