The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading a measure that seeks to protect the rights and interests of Filipino seafarers, ensuring that they 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.

Voting 304 against 4, the chamber overwhelmingly voted to pass House Bill (HB) No. 7325, shortly titled “Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers,” which also aims to develop a pool of competent and world-class seafarers “through a system of education, training, certification, and licensing.”

“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,” Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said.

“Hinahangaan ang ating mga Pinoy seafarers sa buong mundo. Kaya bilang pagkilala sa kanilang kontribusyon sa ating bansa, nararapat lamang na sila ay bigyan natin ng proteksyon sa ilalim ng batas, upang sila ay hindi maabuso at malagay sa peligro,” he added.

Some of the authors of the bill are Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo, OFW Party-list Rep. Marissa Del Mar P. Magsino, Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado Revilla, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, Ako Bisaya Party-list Rep. Sonny Lagon, and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman.

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, 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 discriminatory practices;

*      Educational advancement and training;

*      Relevant information;

*      Free legal representation;

*      Appropriate grievance mechanism;

*      Access to communication;

*      Fair treatment in the event of a maritime accident; and
*      Fair medical assessment.

The bill also lists the duties and responsibilities of seafarers, as well as of ship owners and manning agencies.

It mandates that the standard employment contract (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.”

“Seafarers shall be entitled to adequate compensation in the case of injury, loss or unemployment arising from the ship’s loss or foundering, in accordance with the SEC or the collective bargaining agreement (CBA),” the bill states.

The Overseas Workers and Welfare Administration is also mandated to establish seafarer welfare facilities or centers in major crew-change ports, “specifically in Metro Manila, Pangasinan, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Iloilo, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro City, Davao City, and other areas.”

“A One-Stop-Shop for Seafarers, which shall have representatives from government agencies that process or issue licenses, permits, clearances, and other documents required by seafarers shall also be established in these welfare centers for the convenience of the seafarers and to maximize the services being offered to them,” HB 7325 states.

The Secretary of the DMW, or a duly authorized representative, shall also have access to foreign-registered ships and Philippine-registered ships operating internationally and “conduct inspection to ensure compliance with working and living standards of seafarers as provided under this Act.”

“The shipowner or master shall ensure the compliance of the ship with this Act and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), who shall be made principally liable for any violation thereof. For this purpose, the Maritime Labour Certificate or a certificate of compliance, as applicable, shall be issued in accordance with the IRR,” it continued.

Source: https://www.congress.gov.ph/press/details.php?pressid=12405