Senator Imee Marcos on Tuesday, April 4, suggested a long-term solution to make Filipino seafarers more globally competitive.
This is to negotiate a reciprocal arrangement of educational and technical assistance from maritime countries for potential hands on deck from the Philippines, she said.
"Maritime schools need to be equipped with more simulators and update training onboard," she pointed out.
The chairman of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development noted that an ongoing labor shortage in the world's maritime industry surely figured in the decision of the European Union (EU) to continue recognizing the work certificates of Filipino seafarers.
"It's a blessing in disguise that allows us to breathe a collective sigh of relief, but this is no time for complacency," Marcos said.
However, the senator noted that a provision in the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, recently passed by the House of Representatives, risks another wave of scrutiny by the EU's welfare standards watchdog and again cause job insecurity among Filipino seafarers.
"I intend to question that provision which puts a seafarer's death and disability benefits on hold, possibly for many years, until relevant legal proceedings are concluded. How could the Magna Carta itself discriminate against seafarers, when all other Filipino workers are able to collect such compensation promptly?’’ she asked.
The global seafarer shortage is forecast to reach almost 90,000 by the year 2026.
With no end in sight to the conflict in Eastern Europe, the EU's usual supply of Russian and Ukrainian seafarers remains uncertain.
Marcos said this crisis could indeed be an opportunity for the government to increase Filipino employment abroad which significantly contributes to the country's foreign currency reserves.
But the government must first reckon with how the Philippine maritime industry has come to such a sad state, she pointed out.
"What progress has been made after almost 45 years since my father, the late former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., organized marine employers, ship builders, ship owners, shipping agents, and fishing associations under a Chamber of Maritime Industries, which even predates the POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration)?" she pointed out.
Filipino seafarers are in demand because they have a reputation of being fast learners with natural skills and a good work attitude, often willing to do overtime for extended periods.
An estimated 50,000 Filipinos make up about 20 percent of seafarers on EU ships.
Marcos said preserving their jobs and creating new ones would depend on the government's prompt and consistent action.