Filipino seafarers get free net access aboard Japanese ships – report
MANILA, Philippines - In addition to the handsome pay, Filipino seafarers serving in Japan’s merchant marine fleet are given free access to the Internet so that they can constantly communicate with their families, a report said on Wednesday.
The report by government-run Philippines News Agency (PNA) quoted Yoji Fujisawa, president of All Japan Seamen’s Union (JSU), as saying Internet access is part of a seafarer’s compensation package for serving on a Japanese ship.
He said that ship officers have been instructed to provide time for seafarers to access the free Internet aboard the ships and communicate with their families back in the Philippines in an effort to prevent and homesickness among the crew.
In addition, the industry leader said seafarers aboard their ships are provided with free satellite phone access also to communicate with their families with a more “human touch."
Moreover, Filipino seafarers chosen to join Japan’s merchant marine fleet are given tax-free salaries, good accommodations, and two months paid vacations.
Earlier, the International Mariners Management Association of Japan (IMMAJ) said Filipino seafarers have remained the top choice of Japanese ship managers and owners.
In a speech before the International Migration for the Benefit of Workers: Best Practice from the Business and Professional World forum in Manila, Capt. Takao Manji said Filipino mariners are generally known to be "completely disciplined, hard-working, flexible and reliable."
The Philippines supplies one-third of the world’s shipping manpower with about 270,000 Filipino seamen employed by foreign maritime agencies, according to the Department of Labor and Employment.
Of the number, over 50,000 work on Japan’s 3,000 merchant ships. The figure accounts for 65 percent of Japan's maritime personnel.
An average Filipino seaman is paid between US$1,000 to US$1,250 monthly, while officers are paid around US$2,500 to US$3,000 a month, making them one of the biggest paid among the Philippines migrant work force.
Recently, two Japanese shipping giants, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), and “K"-Line, announced that they will be hiring more Filipino seamen to man their ships.
"K"-Line shipping will be hiring around 3,2000 officers and sailors for its shipping expansion while MOL is planning to increase the number of its Filipino sailors from 14,000 to 17,800 by 2009.
The company said that the proposed increase in Filipino sailor employment is based on the company's plan to increase its current fleet from 700 ships to 900 vessels by 2010, PNA reported. - Kimberly Jane T. Tan, GMANews.TV
The report by government-run Philippines News Agency (PNA) quoted Yoji Fujisawa, president of All Japan Seamen’s Union (JSU), as saying Internet access is part of a seafarer’s compensation package for serving on a Japanese ship.
He said that ship officers have been instructed to provide time for seafarers to access the free Internet aboard the ships and communicate with their families back in the Philippines in an effort to prevent and homesickness among the crew.
In addition, the industry leader said seafarers aboard their ships are provided with free satellite phone access also to communicate with their families with a more “human touch."
Moreover, Filipino seafarers chosen to join Japan’s merchant marine fleet are given tax-free salaries, good accommodations, and two months paid vacations.
Earlier, the International Mariners Management Association of Japan (IMMAJ) said Filipino seafarers have remained the top choice of Japanese ship managers and owners.
In a speech before the International Migration for the Benefit of Workers: Best Practice from the Business and Professional World forum in Manila, Capt. Takao Manji said Filipino mariners are generally known to be "completely disciplined, hard-working, flexible and reliable."
The Philippines supplies one-third of the world’s shipping manpower with about 270,000 Filipino seamen employed by foreign maritime agencies, according to the Department of Labor and Employment.
Of the number, over 50,000 work on Japan’s 3,000 merchant ships. The figure accounts for 65 percent of Japan's maritime personnel.
An average Filipino seaman is paid between US$1,000 to US$1,250 monthly, while officers are paid around US$2,500 to US$3,000 a month, making them one of the biggest paid among the Philippines migrant work force.
Recently, two Japanese shipping giants, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), and “K"-Line, announced that they will be hiring more Filipino seamen to man their ships.
"K"-Line shipping will be hiring around 3,2000 officers and sailors for its shipping expansion while MOL is planning to increase the number of its Filipino sailors from 14,000 to 17,800 by 2009.
The company said that the proposed increase in Filipino sailor employment is based on the company's plan to increase its current fleet from 700 ships to 900 vessels by 2010, PNA reported. - Kimberly Jane T. Tan, GMANews.TV
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