Philippines Advocates for Seafarers in 56th Human Rights Council Session Side Event
GENEVA 09 July 2024 - In commemoration of the International Day of Seafarers, the Philippine Mission to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, Switzerland co-sponsored with the International Labour Organization (ILO) a side event on 25 June 2024 at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland. The event, entitled “Working and Living Conditions at Sea: Challenges and Risks to Seafarers’ Human Rights and Safety,” aimed to put a spotlight on the human rights situation in the maritime sector affecting seafarers, and provide solutions that will inform the 56th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC).
The panel included Philippine Foreign Undersecretary for Migration Affairs Eduardo José A. de Vega, International Labour Organization (ILO) Maritime Unit - International Labour Standards Department Head Beatriz Vacotto, Chief of Staff of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) David Chevallier, International Chamber of Shipping Secretary General Guy Platten, Coordinator of the Seafarers and Inland Navigation Sections of the International Transport Workers’ Federation Fabrizio Barcellona, and Stella Maris (formerly Apostleship of the Sea) CEO Tim Hill. Deputy Permanent Representative Kristine Leilani R. Salle of the Philippine Mission in Geneva acted as the panel’s moderator.
In his opening remarks, Undersecretary de Vega underscored the relevance of discussing seafarer issues, one of the world’s largest suppliers of seafarers. “Seafarers are more than the workforce behind the movement of people and goods across the high seas. It is therefore important to exert all efforts, especially through diplomacy and cooperation with significant stakeholders, to protect seafarers,” Undersecretary de Vega affirmed.
In broad terms, the panel discussed issues faced by seafarers, such as bullying and sexual harassment onboard, unequal treatment, attracting new and young talent to the pool, and criminal proceedings against seafarers upon discovery of illegal material onboard. Proposals included utilization of existing protection and complaint mechanisms (especially of the ILO); capacity building measures (i.e., training and education, especially on the establishment of safety standards, and the technological use of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and alternative fuels in vessels); attracting new and young talent to the sector; addressing differences through global partnership between stakeholders; and investing further in seafarers through fair wages, advancing their training and education, and avoiding provision inadequacies.
The panel likewise deplored incidents of human rights violations against seafarers, such as the unlawful acts and seizures of vessels and their personnel onboard as in the case of the Red Sea.
The side event aimed to inform and enrich the discussions on the Philippine-drafted resolution on promoting and protecting the enjoyment of human rights by seafarers, which will hopefully be adopted by the Human Rights Council in its 56th session later this year. END
