Manila, Philippines — The Philippines has taken a leading role in addressing the criminalization of seafarers, joining forces with international partners through the adoption of the Manila Declaration on Seafarers’ Rights, Safety, and Well-Being.

Anchored on recent initiatives by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Labour Organization (ILO), International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), the declaration underscores the urgent need to safeguard seafarers from unjust detention and legal persecution while carrying out their duties at sea.

Addressing a Growing Concern:
The Manila Declaration reflects the Philippines’ proactive stance in ensuring that both Filipino and foreign seafarers receive fair treatment under international law. It follows alarming global reports showing a rise in arbitrary arrests and prosecutions of seafarers, despite protections outlined in the IMO–ILO Guidelines on Fair Treatment of Seafarers in Cases of Alleged Crimes, formally adopted in 2025.

“Seafarers are vital to global trade, yet they remain among the most vulnerable workers in the world,” officials said. “The Manila Declaration is a call to action—urging states, shipowners, and stakeholders to strengthen cooperation and uphold the dignity and rights of those at sea.”


Call for International Collaboration
The declaration calls for:

-Fair and humane treatment of detained seafarers
-Shorter detention periods with guaranteed due process
-Continuous access to wages, medical care, and repatriation
-Stronger coordination among governments, shipping companies, and judicial systems
-Wider implementation of the IMO–ILO Guidelines across maritime nations

As the world’s largest provider of seafarers, with more than 400,000 Filipinos deployed globally, the Philippines pledged to strengthen alliances to ensure seafarers are not unfairly criminalized while working in international waters.


Protecting Filipino Seafarers
For Filipino families, the Manila Declaration serves as a reassurance that the government is committed to defending the rights and welfare of their loved ones at sea.
This milestone reaffirms the Philippines’ leadership in global maritime conversations—working to ensure that seafarers are recognized not as criminals, but as essential workers sustaining the lifeblood of global trade.