'Filipino seafarers remain a top choice of Japanese ship owners'

MANILA, Philippines — — Filipino seafarers have remained as the top choice of Japanese ship managers and owners, the chairman of International Mariners Management Association of Japan (IMMAJ) said on Tuesday. 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." "That’s the reason why we like (Filipino seafarers), not because they are cheap," Manji said. 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. Manji acknowledged the important role Filipino seafarers play in making Japan's shipping industry one of the most dominant in the world. "We truly appreciate the efforts of the Philippines in expanding the Japanese shipping industry," the IMMAJ added. And to reciprocate the efforts of the Filipino mariners, Manji said that the Japanese shipping industry is pouring vast amounts of money to spend for the training that will insure the competency of the Filipino sailors. "The Japanese shipping industry has put up a training levy that which be used to fund the training of cadets, their instructors and acquisition of cadet training ships," he said. He also stated that seafarer competency makes up for a stable business establishment afloat aside from better profit margins. As further token of appreciation, Filipino seafarers picked to join Japan's merchant marine fleet are given substantial salaries which are tax-free, good accommodations in their parent ships, free communication privileges with their families and two months paid vacations. "We believed that happy crews makes for a safe ship," Manji said. 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, where around 280 vessels, will be joining its fleet of 420 ships within the next four years. 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 RP sailor employment is based on the company's plan to increase its current fleet from 700 ships to 900 vessels by 2010. Happy employer Another happy employer of Filipino seafarers is Fujio Sekiguchi, president of Koyo Kaiun, owner M/T Irene, the tanker that was hijacked last August by Somali pirates of the Gulf of Aden. After the release of the tanker and its 19 crew, including 15 Filipinos, earlier this month, Sekiguchi personally flew to Manila to welcome his workers. He cited them for their loyalty and efficiency as workers. He also said the ship was released due to the Filipino workers’ “very effective intercession." Apart from providing the 15 double pay during their entire stretch of their captivity, plus an undisclosed amount as “compassionate pay," he also allowed them to enjoy their vacation with loved ones before re-hiring them. “Filipino people are the most important asset for us," Sekiguchi told GMANews.TV in an earlier interview. ‘Work ethic A US maritime lawyer, however, called for more protection for Filipino seafarers as he said that they are being exploited by not a few shipowners. Miami-based maritime lawyer Ross Toyne told GMANews.TV that Filipino seafarers have willingly perform duties that are not stipulated in their contracts, but ship owners and employers take advantage of that without reciprocating the “good work ethic." He said the most common complaint of Filipino seafarers is contract substitution, an unlawful practice where a worker’s previously signed labor contract is replaced with a new one, usually on the job site. “Their salaries are incorrect from the contract that was promised to them," he said. “This is a terrible practice." Aside from contract substitution, seafarers also endure physical hardship while on board the ships. Toyne said Filipinos often develop back injuries or hernia – a protrusion of a tissue or organ – from heavy lifting. Despite the hardship endured by their employees, some ship owners refuse to admit responsibility over the seafarers’ injuries. Aside from these, Filipinos are also not immune to racial discrimination on board ships. “Filipinos are made to endure excessive work hours or are maltreated. No matter how many years the seafarers had served their company, they can also be easily discharged," Toyne added. It was Toyne who represented 10 Filipino seafarers in a class suit in connection with the 2003 boiler blast in the US-based cruise ship SS Norway. Six of Filipinos died and four were severely injured - The US court handed down last August 20 its decision favoring the Filipino seamen. A total of $6-million would be divided by the survivors and the families of the dead ones. - GMANews.TV