OWWA to 'name and shame' manning agencies that abandoned seafarers in Manila
By Leslie Ann G. Aquino
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will soon make public the names of licensed manning agencies (LMA) that have abandoned their seafarers in Manila amid the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
"Sorry, but it has come to this. We heard some erring manning agencies have abandoned their seafarers in Manila," OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said in his Twitter account.
"We will help our dear seafarers but make no mistake, we will start naming and shaming these manning agencies who choose to look the other way," he added.
Cacdac said they will endorse these manning agencies to the POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) to fine, penalize, and suspend.
In POEA Memorandum Circular No. 08-2020, LMAs are directed to provide assistance to seafarers, whose flight schedules were cancelled or deferred by their respective employers/principals. They have been stranded in Metro Manila due to the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine.
The POEA said the assistance should not be limited to temporary accommodation, food, and transportation back to their provinces. Failure to comply with the POEA circular shall constitute a violation of the POEA Rules and Regulations, and shall warrant the filing of appropriate administrative sanctions.
Cacdac said seafarers in need of food and accommodation may call their 1348 hotline for assistance. He also denied the report that the government has already started distributing financial attendance to seafarers. Cacdac said the guidelines of the financial assistance for COVID-19 displaced workers are still being prepared.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
"Sorry, but it has come to this. We heard some erring manning agencies have abandoned their seafarers in Manila," OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said in his Twitter account.
"We will help our dear seafarers but make no mistake, we will start naming and shaming these manning agencies who choose to look the other way," he added.
Cacdac said they will endorse these manning agencies to the POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) to fine, penalize, and suspend.
In POEA Memorandum Circular No. 08-2020, LMAs are directed to provide assistance to seafarers, whose flight schedules were cancelled or deferred by their respective employers/principals. They have been stranded in Metro Manila due to the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine.
The POEA said the assistance should not be limited to temporary accommodation, food, and transportation back to their provinces. Failure to comply with the POEA circular shall constitute a violation of the POEA Rules and Regulations, and shall warrant the filing of appropriate administrative sanctions.
Cacdac said seafarers in need of food and accommodation may call their 1348 hotline for assistance. He also denied the report that the government has already started distributing financial attendance to seafarers. Cacdac said the guidelines of the financial assistance for COVID-19 displaced workers are still being prepared.