A landmark international conference in Manila has cast a harsh spotlight on the rising tide of human rights abuses against the world’s 1.9 million seafarers, warning that neglect of maritime workers threatens not only their dignity but the stability of global trade itself.
The International Conference on Seafarers’ Human Rights, Safety, and Well-Being, which opened Monday, revealed a disturbing pattern of abandonment, unpaid wages, harassment, and criminalization faced by maritime workers across the globe, as shared in this Business Mirror report.
A Crisis Behind Global Trade
“Without seafarers, there’s no shipping. No shipping means no shopping and no global trade,” said Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), in a recorded message.
The Philippines, which supplies nearly 30 percent of the world’s maritime workforce, convened the event to reaffirm its role as both a seafaring hub and an advocate for stronger labor protections.
International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert Houngbo presented sobering statistics: 312 cases of crew abandonment were recorded in 2024, with another 213 already reported this year. Abandoned seafarers are often left stranded without pay, food, medical care, or the means to return home.
Flags of Convenience Under Scrutiny
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk highlighted how “flags of convenience”—registrations in countries with weak labor oversight—enable shipowners to escape accountability. Nearly three-quarters of abandoned ships this year were sailing under these flags, leaving seafarers with little recourse.
The abuses extend beyond abandonment. Workers are frequently forced to serve past legal contract limits, suffer bullying and sexual harassment, and face criminal charges for situations beyond their control. Neglect of mental health support and unsafe conditions for women were also cited as persistent problems.
“These abuses are underreported and often invisible,” said Jürg Lauber, President of the UN Human Rights Council. “We must act collectively to ensure justice, dignity, and safety for those who make the sea their workplace.”
Rising Geopolitical Risks
Delegates also warned that seafarers are increasingly exposed to geopolitical flashpoints. The war in Ukraine, as well as missile and drone attacks in the Red Sea, have turned shipping routes into conflict zones, putting crews directly in danger and disrupting access to legal protections.
The Manila Declaration
In response, the Philippines introduced the draft Manila Declaration on Seafarers’ Human Rights, Safety, and Well-Being, a framework that embeds human rights standards in maritime governance.
Backed by the IMO, ILO, and the UN Human Rights Council, the draft declaration calls for:
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Full enforcement of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC)
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Crisis preparedness for health emergencies, disasters, and conflicts
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Human rights due diligence in maritime operations
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Gender equality and harassment-free workplaces
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Upskilling for automation and decarbonization in shipping
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Fair recruitment and dignified working conditions
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro called the draft declaration “a human rights imperative,” while Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin urged delegates to endorse it as a shared commitment to a safer and fairer maritime industry.
Next Steps
The conference, which runs through the week, will hold sessions on labor enforcement, mental health, gender equity, and crisis response. Delegates are expected to finalize the Manila Declaration and chart a roadmap for global adoption.
For the Philippines, the gathering underscores its role as a leading voice in protecting seafarers—recognizing that the men and women who keep global supply chains afloat deserve not only fair pay but also justice, dignity, and safety at sea.