Loren calls for early passage of Magna Carta for seafarers

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Loren Legarda has called for the immediate passage of the proposed Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers in order to protect the rights of the sector. Legarda noted that seafarers make up 25.83 percent of the country’s migrant work force. The country also supplies 28.1 percent of the world’s ship manning requirements.        

Filipino seafarers have remitted $4.339 billion in the first quarter of 2010.    “(And) yet most of the policies and programs catering to the needs of migrant workers are designed for the conditions and situation of land-based workers,” she said. “We need to establish the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, which would address the specific needs of our seafarers.”                       

Under the proposed charter, manning agencies are required to disclose the working conditions and the international law that applies to Filipino seafarers in the ships they are boarding. This is to make sure that seafarers will be guaranteed the right working conditions and compensation. The charter also provides that seafarers will be given access to affordable and quality training courses to upgrade their skills.

It also mandates the retraining or reintegration of seafarers who have finished their contract with an employer.

Legarda noted that Filipino seafarers have been victims of abductions at sea and unjust compensation.

“Despite the rich history and significant role of the Filipino seafarers in our society, they have been given inadequate attention,” Legarda said. “They should be given equal attention and protection for their continued growth and development which will translate to the improvement of our country’s socio economic conditions.”