Ten Filipino seafarers chose safety over sailing into a high-risk area, returning home on September 4 after exercising their right to refuse deployment aboard the M/V Dema M to the Strait of Hormuz.
The seafarers arrived safely at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 after declining to proceed with the voyage due to security risks along the route.
They were welcomed by Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Assistant Secretary Venecio V. Legaspi, together with DMW and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) representatives who provided repatriation assistance.
Legaspi assured the seafarers that the government would stand by their decision and continue to protect their rights, livelihood and benefits.
“Nandito kami para ipakita ng DMW at ng ating Secretary ang suporta sa desisyon ninyo,” Legaspi said.
The DMW’s support is anchored on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s UPLIFT initiative, which recognizes the right of overseas Filipino workers, including seafarers, to refuse voyages to high-risk areas when their safety may be threatened.
The policy reinforces the government’s commitment to putting the safety and welfare of Filipino workers abroad at the forefront, particularly those deployed in areas affected by security threats.
The DMW said it would continue to protect Filipino seafarers from agencies that fail to recognize their rights and ensure that their livelihood and benefits remain protected.
For the 10 seafarers, the decision to return home underscored a fundamental principle of the government’s worker-protection policy, no Filipino worker should have to choose between earning a living and protecting their life.