The leadership of the House of Representatives led by Speaker Martin G. Romualdez has vowed to protect the rights and interests of Filipino seafarers.
“Our seafarers are our unsung heroes. Almost 400,000 of them are on board merchant shipping vessels around the world at any given time. They are not only a source of income for the country through their remittances but also a source of pride,” Romualdez said.
Romualdez made the statement after the lower house approved on third and final reading House Bill (HB) 7325, titled “Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers” by a 304-4 vote.
The bill aims to develop a pool of competent and world-class seafarers “through a system of education, training, certification, and licensing.”
The bill’s enactment, Romualdez said Filipino seafarers have “full protection” before, during, and after employment, especially in the event of maritime accidents, epidemics or pandemics, or other natural or man-made crisis.
Provisions of HB 7325 cover Filipino seafarers “who are employed or engaged or work in any capacity on board foreign-registered ships and Philippine-registered ships operating internationally.”
According to the measure, Filipino seafarers have a right to:
* Safe and secure workplace that complies with safety standards;
* Fair terms and conditions of employment;
* Decent working and living conditions on board a ship;
* Health protection, welfare measures, medical care;
* Self-organization;
* Information about seafarer’s family;
* Against discrimination;
* Educational advancement and training;
* Relevant information;
* Free legal representation;
* Appropriate grievance mechanism;
* Access to communication;
* Fair treatment in the event of a maritime accident;
* Fair medical assessment.
The bill also lists the duties and responsibilities of seafarers, as well as of ship owners and manning agencies.
It also mandates that the standard employment contract, or SEC, shall be reviewed and approved by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to ensure that the contract stipulations adhere to or protects the rights of seafarers as laid down in the measure.
HB 7325 goes to great measures to lay down the protection mechanism for seafarers in cases of epidemics, pandemics, maritime accidents, and other crises, which entitles them to full compensation.
If affected by a pandemic or epidemic, seafarers should be entitled to “medical care, board and lodging for periods spent by a seafarer in quarantine or self-isolation,” as well as “hospitalization and medical treatment when the seafarer is sick or infected – until declared as fully recovered.”