Gov’t urged to protest US’ ‘unjust’ treatment of OFWs
A group of Filipino seafarers abroad on Thursday urged the government to file a diplomatic protest against the United States for its recent “unjust and inhuman” treatment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
In a statement, the International Seafarers Action Center (ISAC) called out the US government for its “acts of discrimination” against OFWs, citing the recent immigration raid on the Carnival Sunshine cruise ship which led to the arrest of 21 Filipino workers.
“We condemn these acts of discrimination against Filipinos and migrant workers by the US government. We demand the Marcos government [to] stand up for the rights of Filipino seafarers and migrants all over the world,” the group said.
According to the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC), 21 Filipino workers on the cruise ship were removed in immigration raids conducted from April 13 to July 12. In total, more than 100 Filipino cruise ship workers have been detained and deported by US authorities.
The PWC said the Filipinos were “falsely accused” of possessing child pornography materials “without a shred of evidence” before they were deported to the Philippines and banned from reentering the United States for 10 years.
No due process
For ISAC, the “removal and deportation” of the Filipino crew members “represent a grave violation of their basic rights and dignity” as they were “not afforded due process” despite being “lawfully employed” and holding valid C-1/D visas.
“The crew members were reportedly accused of possessing child pornography; however, no evidence was presented, nor was any clear explanation provided. They were not charged and had no access to any legal support,” the group said.
“Even more disturbing is the imposition of a 10-year reentry ban to the US, which has far-reaching consequences for their livelihoods and families,” it added.
The group denounced President Marcos’ “disregard” of the issue even as it urged the government, through the Department of Migrant Workers and Department of Foreign Affairs, to launch a formal diplomatic protest and provide legal and welfare assistance to affected seafarers. INQ
“Filipino migrants and overseas workers are under threat by the intensifying attacks on labor and immigrants in the US, without any meaningful push from the government of the Philippines to fight for the rights of fellow Filipinos,” ISAC said.
The group also called on the US government, as well as the Philippines and the cruise industry, to respect the dignity, rights and legal protections of seafarers, reminding them of their obligations under international labor conventions, such as the Maritime Labour Convention.
While the DMW has yet to officially issue a statement on the reported raids, its head, Hans Leo Cacdac, said in a post on X that they “will talk to the cruise ship workers who have been deported to gather details, and provide assistance to them.”
