(INQUIRER file photo / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA)
MANILA, Philippines — The country’s seafarers, who make significant contributions to the global maritime sector, will benefit from the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers which was recently approved in the Senate, Department of Migrant Workers Officer-in-Charge Hans Leo J. Cacdac said on Thursday.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), in a statement, said the Philippines deployed an average of 400,000 seafarers every year from 2016 to 2021.
The Senate approved the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers’ bill on third and final reading on September 27.
“Our seafarers play a crucial role in keeping the global flow of trade and goods at a robust pace,” Cacdac said.
He remarked that they would continue to collaborate with policymakers in creating this essential piece of legislation that establishes an important industry benchmark to promote a safer, more equitable, and seafarer-centric maritime sector.
Key provisions of the measure include:
- Seafarer-Centric Approach – this new bill puts Filipino seafarers first, emphasizing their rights, safety, and well-being while at sea.
- Enhanced working conditions – there are key provisions to improve working conditions, fair wages, adequate rest periods, and access to medical care for seafarers.
- Mental Health Support – it includes provisions for seafarers to have access to mental health services and support.
- Safety Standards – the measure integrates stringent safety standards to ensure that Filipino seafarers operate in a secure and protected environment.
Cacdac further emphasized that the measure sends a strong signal to the international maritime and shipping industries that the Philippines is committed to complying with its obligations under the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for seafarers. (Jezvette Kyelle Mapagdalita, INQUIRER.net trainee)