Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 23) – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) hailed a maritime forum’s designation of the Red Sea’s southern section and the Bab El-Mandeb Strait leading into the Gulf of Aden as high-risk areas (HRAs), after a series of attacks there endangered the lives of Filipino seafarers.
The designation of the International Bargaining Forum (IBF) – formed in 2003 to discuss seafarers’ rights, working conditions, and their well-being in the maritime industry – took effect on Dec. 22.
“We commend the IBF’s swift response to increased threats to the safety and well-being of Filipino seafarers in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden,” DMW Officer-in-Charge Hans Cacdac said Saturday. The agency last month called for those areas to be marked as HRAs.
In late November, Yemen’s Houthi rebels hijacked a cargo ship in the Red Sea and took 17 Filipinos hostage. They are now safe.
Following the hostage-taking incident, an unknown armed group attempted to hijack a Liberian-flag chemical tanker, but were thwarted by United States Navy Forces. Two Filipinos were aboard.
This month, the US said Houthis launched a drone attack on a different container ship there, endangering another 15 Pinoys.
According to the DMW, the HRA designation will provide protection for Filipino seafarers through the following provisions:
“The right to refuse sailing, with repatriation at company’s cost and compensation equal to 2 month’s basic wage,” the agency enumerated.
It continued: “Where a seafarer chooses to board ship, a bonus equal to basic wage, payable for 5 days minimum + per day if longer, and doubled compensation for death and disability; and a mandatory requirement to increase security arrangements.”
