Congress will fully support the improvement of the training standards for Filipino seafarers amid threats that could ban them from European Union (EU) vessels, Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda told EU Ambassador to Manila Luc Veron in a letter on Thursday, Nov. 3.
He warned that some 50,000 high-earning Filipino seafarers could lose their jobs if the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) audit this November turns out to be “too adverse".
“Europe-hired Pinoy seafarers are some of our highest earners. They account for some 50,000 very well-paid jobs. And we could lose a big number of those jobs if we fail the EMSA audit once again this November,” he said.
His remark came amid threats that could jeopardize Filipino seafarer jobs in EU vessels after it flagged the country early this year for deficiencies in local seafaring training and education.
The Philippines has been failing the EMSA audit for 16 years; the first audit was done in 2006.
EU threatened to ban Filipino marine officers on EU vessels by refusing to recognize Philippine-issued Standards of Training, Certification, and Watch-keeping (STCW) certificates, which are based on the International Convention on the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping 1978.
“In view of the EMSA audit for compliance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) this November, and in view of the urgency of keeping logistics secure during this turbulent period for the global economy, please be reassured of my full support for any initiative you may forward on the subject,” Salceda wrote.
“As a senior member of the Congressional leadership team, I would like to express my interest in working with the European Union’s delegation to the Philippines to forward the interests of both Filipino seafarers and European shipping and logistics on areas such as Filipino seafarer training,” the House tax panel chair said.
READ: Marina disputes reports on Pinoy seafarers losing jobs over poor compliance on maritime standards
Earlier this week, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced that it had been mandated by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., along with other agencies to ensure that the country complies with findings of the EMSA.
Noting that many of the seafarers whose jobs are at risk are his constituents, Salceda also offered to boost local efforts of the EU delegation to help Philippine maritime schools improve training.
“Likewise, allow me to offer my district office’s interest in working with the European delegation on improving the training capabilities of maritime schools in Albay province, which I represent,” Salceda told Veron in his letter.
“Over the past few months, European marine industry has relied heavily on Filipino seafarers, who are culturally predisposed towards the West. They have very few problems with us culturally,” he said.
However, he also understands that the country needs to boost its training and “take serious heed of the concerns of EMSA".
“We have been failing their audits for at least 16 years already,” the lawmaker lamented.
Salceda said that keeping the EU-hired seafaring jobs is critical as the country protects its foreign currency reserves and seeks to recover from what he calls “a fluid domestic jobs situation".
He further said that while “EU is unlikely to ban Pinoy seafarers from their flagged ships, some companies are doubtless going to take seriously the EMSA findings this year.”
“And if the findings are too adverse, some of them might hesitate if not avoid hiring Filipinos. That will surely hurt jobs in the sector,” he added.