‘85 Phl vessels can continue int’l voyage’

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday reported that most of the Philippine-registered vessels are now fully compliant with internationally accepted standards and can continue international voyage.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz yesterday said 85 out of the 124 Philippine-registered vessels engaged in international voyage passed thorough inspections and were able to secure maritime labor certificates.

Baldoz said the issuance of maritime labor certificates is in line with the Philippine government’s efforts to fully comply with the Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) 2006.

Under the MLC, all shipping vessels will undergo inspection and get certification of compliance.

Before ship owners can secure a maritime labor certificate, Baldoz said their vessels must be able to comply with national government requirements and ensure continuing compliance.

Last year, DOLE authorized nine organizations to inspect Philippine-registered vessels and certify those which passed international standards.

The certificate shall be valid for not more than five years, subject to intermediate inspection.

Baldoz said the DOLE and its partners in the Maritime Industry Tripartite Council have been working to ensure the country’s compliance with the MLC.

She noted that the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has issued to about 350 manning agencies licenses that guarantee compliance, recruitment and placement standards.

The DOLE’s new labor law compliance system will also cover Philippine vessels, Baldoz said.

She said the Philippines needs to secure and protect the welfare of Filipino seafarers through strict implementation of the MLC.

“We need to move together to ensure decent work for seafarers, secure fair competition and a level playing field for quality ship owners,” she said. “We need to protect compliant ship owners and manning agencies from undercutting by ship owners with substandard ships or who offer substandard benefits and horrible working conditions to Filipino seafarers.”