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Pinoy seamen vulnerable to Ebola virus - TUCP

Dennis Carcamo - The Philippine Star

August 28, 2014 | 4:10pm

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino seafarers are still vulnerable to Ebola virus disease infection amid the no shore leave and no change crew policies strictly imposed by Philippine government and other international maritime bodies, labor group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines said Thursday.

TUCP said Filipino seamen may contract the disease when they interact with shore-based workers, government inspectors and when the ship replenish food and water supplies in countries of destination known to be infected with the virus.

"Filipino seamen and other seafarers in general are still prone to contamination because of contact with shore-based dock workers particularly when they load and unload cargoes. They are also defenseless against possible contagion upon interaction with government maritime authorities such as immigration, customs and health inspectors climb on the ship for mandatory inspections," TUCP spokesperson Alan Tanjusay said.

He said seafarers are most vulnerable when they replenish drinking water and purchase food such as meat, vegetables and spices through ship chandlers in countries with virus outbreak.

"There is a need, therefore, to create new or enhance existing maritime policies to minimize the risk of exposure of our sea-based workers," Tanjusay added.

Meanwhile, members of the Philippine Seafarers' Union of the Associated Labor Unions (PSU-ALU) were told to strictly observe the 'no shore leave' advisory and other safety measures issued for seafarers by the Philippine government and the International Transport Federation (ITF) amid report of a Filipino seaman allegedly being tested for Ebola virus in Togo.

Shore leaves are a few hours respite granted by immigration of country destination to seafarers to disembark ship and access phones and the internet to contact family, to seek welfare, social, medical or psychological support after being cooped up in ship for many weeks.

"All our members in the PSU-ALU were instructed to observe carefully the guidance issued both by the Philippine government and the ITF. These include the 'no shore leave' advisory on all ports of destination reported to have presence of the Ebola virus," Gerard Seno, executive vice president of the PSU-ALU, said.

Besides disallowing shore leave, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) advised all shipping principals and employers with ships operating or calling on ports of the affected countries to provide seafarers with masks, gloves, and goggles as necessary to limit the chance of contamination.

The same memorandum also clarifies that it shall be the responsibility of the ship master or the designated ship medical officer to report any case involving crew members with symptoms of Ebola virus disease to their principal/employer who in turn are required to coordinate with the appropriate international marine medical providers to manage a virus contamination on board.