THE House of Representatives on Wednesday night approved on second reading House Bill No. 7325 or “An Act Instituting the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers,” which aims to recognize and guarantee seafarers’ rights, contributions, and unique role in economic development.
HB 7325 proposes key provisions intended to address issues that have hounded the international and domestic seafaring industries in the country.
“Our seafarers deserve no less than the best terms of employment and protection of their rights as workers at sea. The enactment of a Magna Carta for Filipino seafarers is therefore, not only timely, but imperative,” said Rep. Marissa Magsino, the bill’s principal author, her sponsorship speech.
The bill delineates the applicability of the proposed magna carta only to Filipino seafarers who are employed, engaged or work in any capacity on-board foreign-registered ships and Philippine-registered ships operating internationally, while seafarers on board ships operating domestically shall be covered by the Labor Code of the Philippines and other applicable laws.
The Magna Carta for Seafarers also requires maritime higher education institutions to provide shipboard training to their cadets using their own ships, or in agreement with manning agencies or international shipping companies.
The provision aims to reinforce the competencies of seafarers in compliance with the requirements of the Standards on Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention.
The Magna Carta for Seafarers also encourages the participation of women in the seafaring profession and contribution to the achievement of our national development goals.
Rep. Sandro Gonzalez (PL, Marino) said the bill “guarantees the earnestness of the current administration to address matters related to our seafarers and manifests the government’s acknowledgement of their value as professionals and key contributors to the world commerce and economy.”
Rep. Ron Salo (PL, Kabayan), chair of the committee on overseas workers affairs, also delivered his sponsorship speech and defended the bill on the floor.
Rep. Jocelyn Tulfo (PL, ACT-CIS), one of the primary proponents and supporters of the measure since the previous Congress who is now a vice chair of the committee, said the bill, if enacted “will afford seafarers full protection of their rights, as well as establish a mechanism to address their grievances, such as safe working conditions, security of tenure, and full wages.”
“Many Filipino seafarers experience abuse abroad. We have to ensure that whatever rights accorded to them domestically will also be applied to those working internationally. It’s really difficult for them to ask for help once they leave the country and travel around the world for months,” Tulfo said.
