The Philippines, alongside other governments, international organizations, and global maritime leaders, has launched the “Manila Declaration on Seafarers’ Human Rights, Safety and Well-Being”—a landmark framework aimed at improving the working conditions of seafarers, who continue to power global trade despite facing immense, often invisible risks.
The declaration was unveiled at the conclusion of the International Conference on Seafarers’ Human Rights, Safety, and Well-Being, held in Manila from August 31 to September 2. The three-day event carried the theme “No One Left Adrift.”
Key Commitments
The Manila Declaration, a non-binding framework, outlines eight key commitments. It is expected to spur concrete global action to protect seafarers—the often unsung and unseen workforce responsible for transporting goods across the world’s oceans.
At its core, the declaration emphasizes the unconditional protection of seafarers’ human rights, recognizing the widespread issues of discrimination, abuse, abandonment, and criminalization that maritime workers face while navigating dangerous and isolated working conditions.
The commitments include:
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Full enforcement of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC)
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Improved crisis preparedness and response
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Respect for the right of seafarers to refuse sailing in high-risk areas without fear of reprisal
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Promotion of corporate human rights due diligence
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Advancement of inclusion and women’s empowerment in the maritime sector
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Ensuring a just transition amid digitalization and decarbonization
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Strengthening international cooperation in maritime education and training
Momentum Building Beyond Manila
At a press conference following the event, Ambassador Carlos D. Sorreta, Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, shared that the Manila Declaration already has 11 state adherents and support from three organizations, including the International Transport Workers’ Federation.
Sorreta expressed optimism about gaining more supporters, referencing a Human Rights Council resolution previously led by the Philippines that secured 40 co-sponsors and was adopted by consensus.
“It’s possible to move forward on our advocacy,” he said. Once broader support is secure, the Philippines could return to the Human Rights Council with updates.
While the initiative is state-led by the Philippines—the world’s largest supplier of seafarers—Sorreta noted that collaboration with UN agencies will be vital. He sees the potential for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) or International Labour Organization (ILO) to follow through with their own resolutions or actions based on the declaration.
There is also interest in turning this advocacy into a regional mission, particularly among countries with large maritime labor forces.
“We want to push this also for broader, having regional conferences, so we might bring administrators to all parts where we might be having this, hopefully,” Sorreta said, noting that the successful conference showed the effort is “sprouting” and “generating almost natural process of people who want to support it.”
He added that private businesses are also showing strong interest in supporting the initiative.
Toward a Better Working Environment
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro welcomed the launch of the declaration, expressing hope that it would lead to a “much improved plight of seafarers.”
“It’s just very much the objective of this conference,” Lazaro said.
“It may be non-binding, but this serves as some kind of a basis of future resolutions probably by Geneva and London. But this is the start—with the Manila Declaration,” she added.
