A confederation of labor groups in the Philippines lauded two lawmakers for initiating measures to bring the discussion on the Magna Carta for Seafarer’s bill from the bicameral committee to the plenary of both the Senate and House of Representatives.
In a statement, the Philippine Trade and General Workers Organization (PTGWO), said Sen. Raffy Tulfo and Tingog party-list Rep. Jun Acidre’s legislative actions in the two chambers of Congress assure the protection and welfare of Filipino seafarers as the bill is expected to be finally signed by President Marcos.
“When the first enrolled bill of the Magna Carta of Seafarers was not signed by the President, there were several reasons cited. But now it appears that there is just a solitary reason. This is the bond requirement provision,” the PTGWO said in a statement.
The group refers to Section 58 of the old bill that disallows the immediate execution or payment to the complainant seafarers of awards they received from final judgments of the National Labor Relation Commission (NLRC) and the Voluntary Arbitrator under the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB-DOLE).
“These are mostly awards for disability benefits the seafarers suffered in the line of duty, and which would render them permanently or temporarily incapacitated to continue working. The seafarer would have to put up a bond, in an amount equivalent to the award, to be able to receive his/her award,” the group said.
The PTGWO and Seafarer’s Rights are among the groups that challenged the provision, as they argued that it is a violation of the equal protection rule under the Constitution.
They argued that thje provision makes seafarers as the only group of workers, local or overseas Filipino workers, who would not receive their awards immediately.
The awards won by seafarers, they said, would be tied up with appeals to the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court, which usually lasts for years or even a decade.
“It was magnanimous of Senator Tulfo, Congressman Acidre and the rest of the members of the committees, to heed the clamor of our seafarers and their families. They recognized that the bond requirement provision is not only not germane to the Magna Carta but is actually detrimental to the welfare our seafarers,” the PTGWO said.
The group also called on Marcos to sign the bill: “Each day that the Magna Carta is not passed is a day that the working and living conditions of seafarers, the terms and conditions of their employment, as well the social and welfare services for them and their families, are compromised.”