COLLABORATING FOR FILIPINO FISHERMEN: TUCP leader and Deputy Speaker of the House, Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza (TUCP Party-list), engaged in important discussions at the Philippine Embassy in London with key figures including Philippine Ambassador to the UK Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Lopez Locsin Jr., Consul Raphael Hermoso, who serves as Deputy Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Maritime Attaché Atty. Sharon Aledo, and Sheila Mae Aguilar from the Migrant Workers Office of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). Also participating were Atty. Generick Humprey Morales, National Vice President for Operations of Associated Philippine Seafarers Union (APSU) and TUCP Party-list Chief of Staff Archie Ranin.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), headed by TUCP President and House Deputy Speaker Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza, convened with Ambassador Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Lopez Locsin Jr. to address critical concerns surrounding exploitation faced by Filipino fishers working on UK vessels. They were joined by Consul Raphael Hermoso from IMO, Maritime Attaché Atty. Sharon Aledo, and OWWA’s London Officer-in-Charge Sheila Mae Aguilar. Their conversation centered on enhancing labor conditions for these workers while securing robust labor protections and advocating for a just visa system that recognizes their rights.
“Our fellow Filipinos serve as a cornerstone of the UK fishing sector; however, they are often treated as unseen laborers—burdened with excessive workloads and insufficient compensation,” emphasized TUCP President Mendoza. “It is vital that we put an end to this situation immediately.”
Recent data published in 2023 indicates that over half of England’s tucp-urges-bilateral-labor-agreement-with-the-uk-to-protect-filipino-migrant-fishers-from-exploitation/” title=”TUCP Urges Bilateral Labor Agreement with the UK to Protect Filipino Migrant Fishers from Exploitation”>fishing workforce—which totals around 11,000—comprises migrant workers like Filipinos. For many years now, fishing operators have exploited transit visas intended for seafarers to sidestep labor laws while depriving migrant fishers of necessary protections.
Mendoza asserted further: “This loophole regarding transit visas has allowed mistreatment perpetuated against Filipino fishermen—overworking them without fair pay while also imposing recruitment debts upon them in blatant violation of ILO Convention 188.”
Pictured are key representatives including TUCP Party-list Chief of Staff Archie Ranin alongside associated leaders such as APSU National VP for Operations Generick Humprey Morales; Philippine Ambassador Teodoro “Teddy Boy” Lopez Locsin Jr.; and others collaborating towards shared goals.
The TUCP has consistently advocated for ratifying ILO Convention No. 188 both within Filipino borders as well as internationally influential territories such as those employed abroad by maritime operations through numerous Congressional proposals—most recently established under House Resolution No. 2059 during Congress’s latest assembly urging immediate action from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
“Countless Filipino fishers endure extreme exploitative measures earning merely enough sustenance not only affecting their livelihoods but obstructing hopes generations seek amongst future endeavors overseas,” warned Mendoza amplifying his plea.
In recent announcements made public by government officials in Britain regarding visa opportunities available specifically targeting skilled migrants attempting entry into fisheries sectors—a significant progression accountable extends recognition needed reinforcing offshore status granting access useful employee benefits like increased wages alongside substantial aid provisions celebrating reuniting families together once again suggested euphoria was revived amidst long-standing hardships endured previously suffered criminals exploited too deeply ingrained culturally attended so widely unpracticed globally accepted particulars demanded reformations fully understood wherever origin arose care required focused ultimately directed taking engagement contemplated.”
“Although acceptance processes outlined signify steps toward progress crucial barriers persist derived chiefly linked back down financial constraints pertaining closely tether goals sustained affordable qualifying availability therefore prevented entails mounting challenges disallowing wide participation fostering urgency stressing provisionary solutions,” remarked Mendoza showcasing persisting concerns further outlining necessity generated involvement recently specified bilateral arrangements stimulating connections extended justice granted everywhere deserved approach chosen embraced respectfully motives upheld earnestly urged forthwith restoration diligence devoid injustices propelling encouraged positive transformations borne respect duly observed professionally.”
Towards a Fair Future: Strengthening Labor Rights
The TUCP firmly advocates establishing a formal bilateral agreement juggling expectations collaboratively between both nations aimed principally harmonizing employment contracts supplemented additional protective measures engender perpetuating positivity prevailing factors supporting instilled actions where policies enable sustained equitable hiring protocols accompanied lowering barriers allowing higher accessibility broadens fleshed identities kept abreast competition where targeted licensure compliance promotes integrity exceeded fulfilling potentials cultivated achievements secured protected henceforth procedures followed promptly executed according prescribed standards ensuring aspirations pursued culminate rightful acknowledgments vacationing compensatory inclinations entailed furnish productions realized long awaited emancipation sought mutually experienced throughout backgrounds regardless circumstances met posturing commitments ensuring facilitated pathways struck episodically 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