DMW: We support asserting equal wages for Filipino seafarers

DMW: We support asserting equal wages for Filipino seafarers
Lian Buan Nov 8, 2024 https://www.rappler.com/philippines/dmw-statement-rappler-story-filipino...

DMW points out that Dutch ships pay more than the minimum wage. It is not a question of how much they are paid, but if they are paid the same as other races, the case asserts.

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said it will support “any action” that would assert the right of Filipino seafarers to equal wages, reacting to a Rappler story about a Filipino-led complaint in the Netherlands seeking to strike down a years-long practice of unequal wages between Filipinos and Europeans.

“If the case as mentioned in the Rappler article pushes for non-discrimination of Filipino seafarers on Dutch ships, then we’re all for any action or advocacy that indeed pulls for or asserts non-discrimination of Filipino seafarers. So we will support that,” said DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac in a press briefing on Friday, November 8.

Two seafarers, Filipino and Indonesian, have filed a complaint pending with the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights to end the Dutch practice of paying different wages to Filipinos, Indonesians and in a particular collective bargaining agreement, even Ukrainians.

The Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners (KNVR) earlier explained to Rappler that the discrepancy in wages is due to the lower cost of living in the Philippines and in Indonesia. The Dutch Equality Act has a clause that allows indirect discrimination if the purposes are justified, which is the loophole that has enabled the practice.

Then again, Cacdac said that Filipino seafarers already earn a basic monthly wage of US$801, which he said “with leave pay, overtime, guaranteed overtime pay, could go beyond 801 USD.”

“So, clearly the 801 US dollars based on our data is the prevailing basic wage based on the market, the labor market for seafarers on Dutch ships. 801 US dollars, way above the ILO minimum of 666 [USD],” Cacdac said, referring to the International Labour Organization (ILO)-mandated minimum wages.

“So, while we say that the Filipino seafarer earns 801 US dollars per month on a prevailing basic wage on Dutch ships, as to whether this particular wage is discriminatory, then we will have have to await the results of the investigation on the Dutch side. And definitely, we will take the necessary action depending also on the findings on the Dutch side,” said Cacdac.

The Equal Justice Equal Pay Foundation, which is leading this claim and is prepared to file a class suit on behalf of others affected by the policy, points out that it is not a question of whether Filipino and Indonesian seafarers are underpaid, but whether they are paid the same wages as their European counterparts for the same job on the same ship.

“Every year, more than 10,000 Indonesian and Filipino seafarers work on Dutch-flagged ships. No matter what job they have on board, their wages are on average 60-65% less than wages for European seafarers performing the exact same job, often on the exact same ships,” says the foundation.

The KVNR claims this is not discriminatory because it is “based on living wage in the country of residence of the seafarer,” a spokesperson told Rappler. “This principle is common practice in the international shipping industry and allows for fair wage treatment of seafarers by country of residence,” said the spokesperson.

Cacdac said the DMW is prepared to legally assist any Filipino seafarer under its Aksyon Fund.

“And so we are offering our Aksyon Fund, legal assistance program, services, to any seafarer for that matter, not just with regard to the article on seafarers on board Dutch ships,” said Cacdac, but added, “prior to taking legal action, it’s always prudent to be given legal advice so that an OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) could decide for themselves whether or not they want to take legal action.” – Rappler.com