A GROUP of employers from the United States, including representatives from the cruise industry, lauded President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for giving a 'high level of attention' to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), including seafarers, during a meet and greet on May 2 in Washington, D.C.

This stemmed from the President's recent efforts to further support OFWs and his pronouncement that the government now has a distinct regard for OFW communities.

'They are no longer the ones who could not find a job, so they go abroad.

'[They] are an active member of the global economy. The part the employers have played cannot be underestimated in any other way,' he said.

Marcos' recognition of OFWs and their foreign employers were acknowledged by Tanay Alonso, associate vice president of Workforce Strategy and Movement of the Royal Caribbean Group.

'We are excited about this high level of attention. We have 30,000 employees from the Philippines, and we are looking to hire 15,000 more in the next five years. This partnership is very important to us. It is nice that he has the same vision as us,' Alonso said.

'The meeting today was very dynamic. The Filipino crew members are very important to us, and I think the International Advisory Council on Global Maritime Affairs (IACGMA) of the DMW (Department of Migrant Workers) is historical for the industry, and we are looking forward to the opportunities,' Michael Jaworski, director of Global Crew Relations and Visas of the Royal Caribbean Group, said.

'[The President's] reaction is spot on, and he cares for his people. [It is good] to know that he is aware of the people working overseas and what they bring to the sectors outside of the Philippines,' Jaworski said.

Marcos has constantly been including matters pertaining to the maritime industry in his foreign visits, particularly in Europe. The attention and appreciation garnered in these trips yielded positive results, especially during the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) audit which the country later passed.

Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople echoed the perception of the President that employers from the cruise industry provide livelihood not just to over 200,000 OFWs but to 200,000 families and communities.

She said a third of the workforce onboard cruise ships is composed of Filipinos.

'They (employers) are very appreciative of our President and how much they value our workers,' Ople said.

She said morale is high among employers following the meet and greet, and this is expected to increase partnerships and more employment to Filipino workers in the US.

'They promised to hire more,' she said.