DMW hosts job fair for sea-based OFWs as demand for Filipino seafarers remains high

DMW hosts job fair for sea-based OFWs as demand for Filipino seafarers remains high
Katrina Domingo Sept 22, 2024 https://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/other/dmw-hosts-job-fair-for-sea-based-of...

MANILA — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Sunday mounted a job fair for those who wish to work aboard cruise ships and vessels, underscoring the global demand for Filipino seafarers.

In 2023, the DMW issued 560,000 exit clearances for Filipino seafarers, a record which exceeds even pre-pandemic numbers, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said.
. Patuloy na ipinamamalas ng mga nauna sa inyo ang kalidad, pagod, serbisyo, yung tinatawag na extra mile loyalty, devotion sa trabaho, katapangan, kahusayan at puso ng Filipino seafarer,” he told job applicants who flocked to the one-day job fair in Pasay City.

“Ganoong na lamang ang demand sa tripulanteng Pilipino. Patuloy na ipinamamalas ng mga nauna sa inyo ang kalidad, pagod, serbisyo, yung tinatawag na extra mile loyalty, devotion sa trabaho, katapangan, kahusayan at puso ng Filipino seafarer,” he told job applicants who flocked to the one-day job fair in Pasay City.

(There is such a demand for Filipino seafarers. Those deployed to ships before you have demonstrated the quality, extra-mile loyalty and competence of Filipino seafarers)

“Subok na 'yan kaya kami ay pinalad to provide these services to you kasi para sa amin, world-class kayo… at sa araw-araw ninyong paglalayag ay pinatututnayan ninyo yung husay at tibay ng tripulanteng Pilipino,” he said.

(Filipino seafarers are already proven to be good workers, so we are lucky to be offering these services to you, because we see you as world class and when you sail, you prove that even more)

The job fair dedicated to sea-based OFWs was a program started during the term of late DMW Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople, Cacdac said, adding the fairs are meant to let potential seafarers direct contact with licensed manning agencies.

“Ayaw natin yung mga hindi nila alam saan sila pupunta o kaya hindi sila informed o magkakaroon ng uncertainty tungkol dito,” he said.

(We don't want them to not know where to go for services, or that they are not informed or have uncertainty about being deployed)

MECHANISMS IN PLACE FOR SEAFARER SAFETY

While the safety of seafarers is more crucial nowadays because of the spate of Houthi attacks on vessels cruising near the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, Cacdac assured job seekers that the government has mechanisms in place to ensure the safety of those who would be able to land sea-based jobs.

Ship owners have been mandated to “divert voyages away from the Red Sea at the Gulf of Aden” and are reminded to uphold Filipino seafarers’ right to refuse sailing, he said.

Ship owners are obliged to put seafarers who refuse dangerous routes on other ships or to send them home with two months' worth of compensation, he also said.

“Kailangan lang natin talagang magdoble ingat, magtriple ingat ngayon sa paglalayag dahil sa sitwasyon ngayon pero marami namang mga rota, navigation routes na ligtas sa paglalayag,” he added.

(We really need to be doubly careful, triple even, when sailing because of the current situation, but there are many routes that are safe)

For 2024, the DMW has a P2.8-billion action fund to aid OFWs who need legal, financial, and medical assistance, Cacdac said.

Each OFW in distress may receive as much as P50,000, while P70,000 aid is given to those who may have fallen ill while overseas. The government also extends P100,000 to every family whose immediate kin died while working abroad.

“Sinisiguro namin na hindi kayo mabibiktima ng illegal recruitment at human trafficking at gusto namin na kayo ay patuloy na binibigyan namin ng karampatang proteksyon,” the DMW chief said.

(We will make sure that you will not be victims of illegal recruitment or human trafficking and we want to continue giving you protection)

The DMW’s job fair offers 3,146 crew orders from 35 participating management agencies, with opportunities ranging from deck and engine, engineering and cruise ship staff work.

The job fair was held ahead of the World Maritime Day on September 26.

Filipino seafarers make up around 25 percent of seafarers across the world, according to data from the DMW.