ASSOCIATED MARINE OFFICERS’ AND SEAMEN’S UNION OF THE PHILIPPINES

On November 11, 1960, Capt. Gregorio S. Oca, concerned with the plight of the licensed crew of the United President Lines, Magsaysay Lines, Inc. and the Eastern Shipping Lines, constituted the Associated Marine Officers’ Union of the Philippines (AMOUP), with the Philippine Transport General Workers Organization (PTGWO) as the mother organization. At the same time, Brother Donato Alarcon organized the unlicensed crew and formed the Associated Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (ASUP).

Guided by the same ideals and principles, the two unions merged in 1972 to become the Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines or “AMOSUP”, which later also affiliated with the International Transport Workers’ Federation. About 80,000 overseas Filipino seafarers presently comprise the general membership of AMOSUP.

Seeking to unite all Filipino seafarers, Capt. Oca, who was elected AMOSUP President, strongly labored to promote the social, legal and moral rights of AMOSUP members in the domestic and international arenas. He envisioned free quality medical and dental services for members and their families with access to world-class maritime education and adequate training. It became clear that for Filipino seafarers to be competitive, they must be highly competent, well trained, disciplined, loyal and hard working.

Focused on these principal goals and supported by the various social partners, AMOSUP embarked on an unprecedented program of union benefits to mold and upgrade seafarers’ skills and training, and improve the health and welfare of the members and their families.

AMOSUP executive and administrative offices are housed at the Seamen’s Center in Intramuros, Manila, where the Provident Fund Office and the Training Levy Secretariat Office are also located.

For further information about AMOSUP, please visit the following website:

http://www.amosup.org/