Capt. Takao Manji, Chairman of IMMAJ shared during the 2nd Global
Forum on Migration
and Development (GFMD) held at the Philippine
International Convention Center (PICC), CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard,
Metro Manila, that the reason Japanese companies hire Filipino seamen
is because of their reliability, flexibility, diligence, and discipline.
The chairman expressed his appreciation to the Filipino seafarers
who serves as the backbone to the expansion and domination of Japan
in the shipping industry. According to the website of Mitsui
O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), one of the oldest shipping companies
in Japan, 60 percent of their seafarers are Filipinos. Second are
Indians with nine percent. Only four percent of their crew members
are Japanese.
In return, these companies give their Filipinos employees generous
salaries, good accommodation in the ship and special privileges,
such as free calls to their families and two months paid vacation
when they are off board.
In addition, Japanese shipping companies have invested in training
centers here in the Philippines. In 1993, MOL built a training center
in Dasmariñas, Cavite. This training center is in partnership
with Magsaysay
Maritime Corporation. On the other hand, Kawasaki
Kisen Kaisha Ltd. (“K”-Line) opened its "K"
Line Maritime Academy in Pasay City last February of this year.
Web Philippines, Inc. thanks the
following sources:
Japan Corporate News (JCN) Network. Opening Ceremony
of "K" Line Maritime Academy – Philippines (Posted
February 22, 2008) Retrieved October 29, 2008 http://www.japancorp.net/Article.Asp?Art_ID=17085
Philippine News Agency. RP seafarers still the top choice of Japanese
ship owners and managers. (Posted October 28, 2008) Retrieved October
29, 2008 http://www.gov.ph/news/?i=22645
