Case of Filipino seafarers abandoned in Spain brought to ILO

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Labor and Employment has brought to the International Labor Organization its complaint against the Greek owners of a ship for abandonment of 12 Filipino seafarers in Spain.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz on Thursday said the agency has submitted to the ILO a report on the incident involving the vessel MV Nafto Cement XVI.

“We would like the international maritime community to know that we will not allow this kind of maltreatment among Filipino seafarers,” explained Baldoz in filing a report before the ILO.

The agency reports such cases to the ILO, which maintains all cases of abandonment, as part of its “reportorial requirements,” added the labor executive.

The Greek-owned ship was apprehended by port authorities when it docked at the Port of Valencia in Spain in April due to unpaid claims from various creditors, according to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

The 12 Filipino seamen also reported to the government that they were not paid their on-board salaries and overtime pay for eight months, including allotments to their families.

Stranded for four months in Valencia, the seafarers were immediately repatriated last month after labor officials visited them at the port. -Jocelyn R. Uy, Philippine Daily Inquirer