DOLE assures help for RP seamen facing layoffs

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment will help Filipino seamen who could be affected by the possible massive layoffs in the global seafaring industry.

About 40,000 seamen on board Japanese vessels are currently in danger of losing their jobs because container ships, car carriers, and product transport ships have been cutting down on their cargoes due to the slump in international trade.

Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said Filipino seafarers should not worry because the government is closely coordinating with the Japanese government about the matter.

“That was what we went to Japan for, to plead upon the Japanese ship owners that our seafarers should be kept on board as long as possible," he told GMA News in an interview.

In fact, the Philippines has already entered into an agreement with Japan’s transport ministry to provide trainings that will upgrade the skills to Filipino seamen.

“This will enable us to develop our seafarers particularly as vessel officers who are in short supply and badly needed by the international seafaring industry," said Roque.

If layoffs cannot be avoided, the government will ensure that Filipino seafarers get the necessary assistance, according to the DOLE secretary.

“If in case ‘di maiwasan ang [If in case we cannot avoid the] temporary reduction in crew, they will be provided assistance in the form of livelihood tsaka [and] training," he said.

Roque earlier said that Japanese ship owners were hinting at the possibility of using the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority as well as the Malalad Bay in Davao as lay up centers for Japanese vessels.

He said that being one of the closest neighbors of Japan, the Philippines is a cost-efficient area for Japanese ship owners to dock their vessels until a strong demand for shipping cargo returns.

He added that Japan is also eyeing the Philippines as a ship-breaking port, where old ships could be dismantled and scrap metal from the vessels sold.

There are more than 3,000 Japanese vessels plying international waters – about 70 percent of which are manned by Filipinos. - GMANews.TV

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