PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand Marcos Jr promised a severe look at the country's seafarers' complaints after meeting with the International Chamber of Shipping (ICSA), the International Maritime Employers Council (IMEC), and the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) in Brussels, reports Manila Times.
Previously, Mr Marcos assured the same group of the country's compliance with the standards set by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) for Filipino seafarers.
The delegation from the international shipping community thinks the problem with ambulance chasing is a serious problem that the country should look into, stating: 'while intended to secure speedy resolution and compensation for the injured and aggrieved crew, the injury claims industry system today sees seafarers' hardship and goodwill exploited by ambulance-chasing lawyers.'
'The victimization of Filipino seafarers by people or groups to make fraudulent and costly injury claims against their employers has resulted in companies looking elsewhere for their seafarer workforce.'
In 2000, Filipino crew comprised 28.5 per cent of the global seafarer population. However, by 2020, that figure dropped to 14 per cent. Any further decline would jeopardize the US$6.54 billion in wages Filipino seafarers send home yearly to their families.
Seafarers' unions, including the Philippines-based Associated Marine Officers and Seamen's Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP) have supported employers' calls for a crackdown on the unethical practices of the claims industry.
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Previously, Mr Marcos assured the same group of the country's compliance with the standards set by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) for Filipino seafarers.
The delegation from the international shipping community thinks the problem with ambulance chasing is a serious problem that the country should look into, stating: 'while intended to secure speedy resolution and compensation for the injured and aggrieved crew, the injury claims industry system today sees seafarers' hardship and goodwill exploited by ambulance-chasing lawyers.'
'The victimization of Filipino seafarers by people or groups to make fraudulent and costly injury claims against their employers has resulted in companies looking elsewhere for their seafarer workforce.'
In 2000, Filipino crew comprised 28.5 per cent of the global seafarer population. However, by 2020, that figure dropped to 14 per cent. Any further decline would jeopardize the US$6.54 billion in wages Filipino seafarers send home yearly to their families.
Seafarers' unions, including the Philippines-based Associated Marine Officers and Seamen's Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP) have supported employers' calls for a crackdown on the unethical practices of the claims industry.
SeaNews Turkey
