Hindi ligtas ang Pinoy seafarers sa impeksiyon ng Ebola virus kahit pa may ipinatutupad na “no shore leave at no change crew policies” ang gobyerno at ang international maritime bodies sa kanilang pagharap sa shore-based workers, government inspectors at pagbababa ng pagkain at water supplies sa mga pinupuntahang bansa.
“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,” pahayag ni Alan Tanjusay, spokesperson of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP).
Ayon kay Tanjusay, ang seafarers ang pinakamahina sa virus sa tuwing maghahatid at magbababa ng mga kargamento katulad ng inuming tubig at mga pagkain na karne, gulay at spices sa iba’t ibang bansa partikular sa mga may outbreak ng virus.
“There is a need, therefore, to create new or enhance existing maritime policies to minimize the risk of exposure of our sea-based workers,” sabi ni Tanjusay.
