Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Sunday, September 22 expressed confidence more Filipino seafarers would benefit once the President signs into law the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers.
Senate Bill No. 2221 and House Bill No. 7325 or the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, is scheduled for the President’s signing on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024.
After over a decade of waiting, Escudero noted that the bill that will ensure the protection of the rights and welfare of Filipino seafarers is set to become a law.
“Mahigit kumulang kalahating milyon na Pilipinong manlalayag ang makikinabang sa batas na ito (More than half a million Filipino seafarers are expected to benefit from this law),” Escudero said.
“Sinisiguro ng batas na ito na walang mapapabayaan na manlalayag na Pilipino kapag may mangyari sa kanila habang ginagampanan nila ang kanilang mga tungkulin, legal man o medical (This law ensures that no Filipino seafarer will be left behind when something happens to them while they are performing their duties, whether legal or medical),” he said.
The Senate leader pointed out that Filipino seafarers are indispensable part of the operations of the international maritime industry.
“They keep the world’s fleet of ships afloat. It is only proper that they are accorded all the rights and protection under the law,” he said, noting that Filipino seafarers represent a quarter of all the officers and crew on board the world’s ships.
The measure seeks to protect the country’s seafarers from abuses as it stipulates the rights of seafarers, including their right to just terms and conditions of work; right to self-organization and to collective bargaining; right to educational advancement and training at reasonable and affordable costs; right to information; the right to information of a seafarer’s family or next of kin; and the right against discrimination.
The proposed law also provides them the right to safe passage and safe travel, consultation, free legal representation, immediate medical attention, access to communication, record of employment or certificate of employment, fair treatment in the event of a maritime accident.
Escudero also said the measure enumerates and identifies the duties of a seafarer, such as complying with and observing the terms and conditions of the employment contract and being diligent in the performance of duties relating to the ship.
“Tulad ng mga karaniwang empleyado ng isang kumpanya, nararapat din na malinaw at mahigpit na ipapatupad ang mga karapatan ng bawat isang manlalayag, kapitan man sila o deck hand (Just like the common employees of a company, the rights of every single sailor, whether they are a captain or a deck hand, should be clearly and strictly enforced),” he said.
“Kung tutuusin ay mas mabigat pa ang mga suliranin ng ating mga manlalayag at karaniwan ay nasa peligro ang kanilang mga buhay. Kaya napaka-importante ng batas na ito para masiguro na meron silang sapat na proteksyon (In fact, the problems of our sailors are even more serious and their lives are usually in danger. So this law is very important to ensure that they have adequate protection),” added Escudero.