The seafarers unjustly deported from the US successfully asserted their rights and call for accountability from the manning agencies in a dialogue held on December 12 at the office of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in Makati City. The seafarers’ collective action and demand for government agencies to address their grievances compelled the holding of the meeting.

Prior to the dialogue, the seafarers held a protest outside the DMW office together with the International Seafarers Action Center (ISAC), Migrante International, Concerned Seafarers of the Philippines, and Tanggol Migrante Movement.

Organizations, officials from the DMW and Department of Foreign Affairs, and representatives of manning agencies from Wilhelmsen, TDG, North Sea, Anglo Eastern, and CF Sharp attended the dialogue. Representatives from Open Sea, RCCL, and Magsaysay did not attend.

At the dialogue, the DFA promised to expedite the processing of new passports for the affected seafarers. The DFA also vowed to speak with the Philippine embassy in Washington DC to secure an extension period for the seafarers so they could appeal their canceled visas. The fee for the appeal will also be waived. The agency will study the issuance of a Diplomatic Protest after reviewing the seafarers’ submitted statements.

The department also promised to provide legal and financial assistance to the seafarers through the Aksyon Fund Assistance, which they will receive on December 15. The attending manning agencies promised to rehire their seafarers. The DMW will summon the manning agencies that failed to attend the meeting.