TUCP warns of displacement among seafarers

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino seafarers could be displaced by the debt crisis in Greece.

Ernesto Herrera, Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) secretary-general, said the economic slump in Greece might adversely affect shipping activities in Greece and other European countries.

“We are also deeply worried about Greece’s lingering debt crisis, which could depress economic conditions as well as shipping activity in Europe,” he said.

However, the economic crisis has not affected the remittances from Filipino seafarers, he added.

Herrera said seafarers on ocean-going vessels wired home a total of $888 million in the first quarter.

The figure was 11 percent higher than the money they remitted during the same period last year, he added.

Herrera said the 11.04 percent growth in money from Filipino seafarers was nearly double the 5.96 percent increase in remittances from land-based Filipino workers.

Of the 10 biggest sources of remittances from Filipino seamen, six are European countries, he added.      

Herrera said the top 10 sources of remittances from Filipino seamen are the United States, Japan, Norway, Germany, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Greece, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, and Cyprus.

Remittances from Filipino seafarers in Greece also went up by 18 percent in the first quarter to $34.7 million versus $29.3 million a year ago, he added.

Money from Filipino seamen in Norway, the Netherlands, Cyprus, Denmark, Ireland and Sweden went down an average of 20.81 percent, Herrera said.