Manila: Several countries have supported the Manila Declaration on Seafarers' Human Rights, Safety and Well-being since it was presented by Philippine Ambassador to the United Nations Carlos Sorreta before an international conference in Manila last week. As of Tuesday, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) said 14 countries have offered their support to the declaration.
According to Philippines News Agency, the countries that have shown their support for the declaration include Bangladesh, Belgium, Germany, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Philippines, Spain, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Croatia, and India. The declaration emphasizes the collective responsibility to protect and empower seafarers, translating these principles into meaningful action to ensure that seafarers' rights are upheld at all times and in all circumstances.
The declaration highlights the significance of seafarers as key workers in an industry that is crucial to international commerce and global supply chains. It acknowledges the risks to their rights, safety, and well-being while working and living at sea. It underlines the necessity of protecting seafarers as a human rights imperative and a shared responsibility among maritime stakeholders, advocating for enhanced social dialogue, strengthened enforcement mechanisms, and close collaboration among stakeholders.
The document stresses that human rights are universal and must be upheld both on land and at sea, in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international human rights treaties. It calls for cooperation in respecting, protecting, and promoting the human rights and freedoms of seafarers, enforcing the Maritime Labor Convention 2006, improving emergency preparedness, and fostering an environment that respects the right of seafarers to earn their living through work they freely choose or accept.
Furthermore, the declaration seeks to ensure that the global maritime industry integrates processes that promote human rights, intensifies efforts for gender equality and inclusivity, addresses the challenges of technological advancements, and promotes technical cooperation and capacity-building in maritime education through various arrangements. The Philippines hosted the international conference at Diamond Hotel in Manila from September 1 to 3, where MARINA Administrator Sonia Malaluan stated that the declaration serves as a guiding compass for collective action, urging governments, industry, and global institutions to work together to ensure that human rights, inclusivity, and just transition principles shape the future of maritime work.
