Fundraise for Seafarers to Meet their Basic Needs
Donation protected
BACKGROUND AND WORKING CONDITIONS
Of the 1.5 million seafarers onboard the 60,000 vessels on the ocean each day, around 500,000 (1/3) are Filipino. Vessels regularly come through the ports of Vancouver and Portland, which means Filipino seafarers in our very own community are being hit by heightened injustices amidst their already unfair working conditions.
There are unequal wages between workers with the average monthly pay for Filipino seafarers being significantly less than their counterparts. Many fall victim to wage theft, go unpaid, and in many cases months go by without any sign of money promised to seafarers. Racism and discrimination on board keeps workers divided, with officers of some nationailities being pitted against the Filipino crew members.
Poor safety practices and unsafe ships make seafaring one of the most dangerous of all occupations - it is estimated that there are over 2,000 deaths a year at sea. Seafarers are expected to work 60 hours per week, with long periods of work without rest leading to stress and fatigue. Accidents are frequent, but for many shipowners the delivery of cargoes and the costs of any delay are their only concerns. Their labor rights are further violated by the use of “Flag of Convenience” ships which are ships registered in a foreign country that may have little or no enforcement of labor laws, mandatory minimum payments to workers, lower taxes and registration fees, and denial of access to a union that would ensure baseline workers’ rights. Under these conditions seafarers are especially vulnerable in an already dangerous job.
To learn more about Filipino seafarers, email us at: [email redacted]
COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Because of COVID-19, an international ban has been placed on crew changes for ships. This means that Filipino seafarers are forced to extend their contracts months longer than originally stipulated before seafarers left the Philippines, with no clear plan for them to return safely home. In addition, without regular access to the internet they have to way to communicate with their families to inform them they will not be returning home. Once docked, it is up to the captains to allow seafarers to disembark or not, meaning that seafarers cannot buy necessary goods such as SIM cards, toiletries or weather protective gear for the high seas.
HOW YOU CAN HELP!
Portland Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines and Philippine US Solidarity Organization-Vancouver are fundraising to help seafarers meet their basic needs that are being neglected and denied, and show care and appreciation for our frontline workers! What your donations will go towards:
Purchasing SIM cards to give seafarers access to internet and communication with their families back home
Purchasing Filipino merienda/desserts that remind them of home
PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
Portland Seafarers Mission
National Alliance for Filipino Concerns Oregon
International Migrants Alliance USA
Migrante Portland
ILWU Local 4
Fort Vancouver Seafarers Center
Of the 1.5 million seafarers onboard the 60,000 vessels on the ocean each day, around 500,000 (1/3) are Filipino. Vessels regularly come through the ports of Vancouver and Portland, which means Filipino seafarers in our very own community are being hit by heightened injustices amidst their already unfair working conditions.
There are unequal wages between workers with the average monthly pay for Filipino seafarers being significantly less than their counterparts. Many fall victim to wage theft, go unpaid, and in many cases months go by without any sign of money promised to seafarers. Racism and discrimination on board keeps workers divided, with officers of some nationailities being pitted against the Filipino crew members.
Poor safety practices and unsafe ships make seafaring one of the most dangerous of all occupations - it is estimated that there are over 2,000 deaths a year at sea. Seafarers are expected to work 60 hours per week, with long periods of work without rest leading to stress and fatigue. Accidents are frequent, but for many shipowners the delivery of cargoes and the costs of any delay are their only concerns. Their labor rights are further violated by the use of “Flag of Convenience” ships which are ships registered in a foreign country that may have little or no enforcement of labor laws, mandatory minimum payments to workers, lower taxes and registration fees, and denial of access to a union that would ensure baseline workers’ rights. Under these conditions seafarers are especially vulnerable in an already dangerous job.
To learn more about Filipino seafarers, email us at: [email redacted]
COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Because of COVID-19, an international ban has been placed on crew changes for ships. This means that Filipino seafarers are forced to extend their contracts months longer than originally stipulated before seafarers left the Philippines, with no clear plan for them to return safely home. In addition, without regular access to the internet they have to way to communicate with their families to inform them they will not be returning home. Once docked, it is up to the captains to allow seafarers to disembark or not, meaning that seafarers cannot buy necessary goods such as SIM cards, toiletries or weather protective gear for the high seas.
HOW YOU CAN HELP!
Portland Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines and Philippine US Solidarity Organization-Vancouver are fundraising to help seafarers meet their basic needs that are being neglected and denied, and show care and appreciation for our frontline workers! What your donations will go towards:
Purchasing SIM cards to give seafarers access to internet and communication with their families back home
Purchasing Filipino merienda/desserts that remind them of home
PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
Portland Seafarers Mission
National Alliance for Filipino Concerns Oregon
International Migrants Alliance USA
Migrante Portland
ILWU Local 4
Fort Vancouver Seafarers Center
Organizer
Portland CHRP
Organizer
Portland, OR
