EDITORIAL - Dangerous workplaces

Even as the fate of two Filipinos taken by Hamas militants remains unknown, the government confirmed yesterday that 17 Filipinos were among the 25 crewmembers of a cargo vessel that was hijacked by Yemeni Houthi rebels in the Red Sea on Nov. 19.

The Houthis said they seized the Galaxy Leader, describing it as an “Israeli ship,” and brought the vessel to the Yemeni coast to pressure Israel to stop its offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Israel has said it has no citizens on the ship, although some reports said the vessel is Israeli-owned.

Yesterday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said it had received word that the Houthis did not intend to harm the ship’s foreign crewmembers. The DFA said it was reaching out to foreign governments in the area where the ship was seized, to ensure the safety of the overseas Filipino workers. The OFWs’ safety, however, is uncertain, considering the viciousness of Hamas’ attack specifically targeting civilians including foreigners in Israel.

The hijacking once again highlights the risks faced by Filipinos who find it necessary to earn a decent living outside their own country, even if the job takes them to the world’s zones of armed conflict. Among those killed by Hamas in its attack on Israel on Oct. 7 were four overseas Filipino workers.

Despite the continuing war, fewer than 300 of the 30,000 Filipinos working in Israel have opted to return home, even if the Philippine government shoulders the expenses. The Jewish state is a favored destination for OFWs, providing high compensation and generally good working conditions. And Israel has expressed appreciation for the Filipinos who have remained with their Israeli employers amid the war.

Even when the work environment is less than ideal, however, there is no lack of Filipinos seeking employment. Despite all the horror stories emerging about OFWs being duped by online recruiters into cryptocurrency scam operations in Myanmar and Thailand, Filipinos continue to take their chances, lured by the promise of high pay that they cannot hope to earn in their own country.

This is not the first time that Filipino seafarers have been held hostage by rebels and bandits in other countries. With most of the world’s commercial vessels having OFWs in their crew, any hijacking, maritime terrorist attack or hostage taking for ransom could have Filipinos as victims. The plight of the 17 Filipinos should give urgency to the development of an environment conducive to the creation of decent jobs right here in the Philippines.