“International shipping transports more than 80 percent of global trade to peoples and communities all over the world.” Shipping is the most efficient and cost-effective method of international transportation for most goods, facilitating commerce and helping to create prosperity among nations and peoples.
“The world relies on a safe, secure and efficient international shipping industry,” so states the United Nations to celebrate World Maritime Day on Sept. 26.
The Philippines is the biggest supplier of seafarers now working in the international shipping industry, according to the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO).
Our seafarers have been praised as the country’s modern heroes, for their commitment to their jobs to continue the transport of goods to all parts of the world.
On Sept. 23, President Marcos signed Republic Act No. 12021, or An Act Providing for the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers. Called a “landmark law,” it upholds the fundamental rights of overseas seafarers to fair wages, safe working conditions, and skills and competency development.
“It is our way of telling our seafarers, we see you, we hear you, and we are here to support you,” he said.
The President called attention to the deeper intentions of the law: Fair wages are about the “dignity of being compensated fairly for one’s hard work and dedication." Skills development is “upgrading their qualifications to promote career growth.” And protection is about “shielding our seafarers not only from the perils of the sea, but from exploitation and discrimination that have too often been tolerated."
The Magna Carta will especially strengthen the education and training system to produce better skilled workers through a more robust certification process to “ensure that our seafarers are not just compliant but exceptional and equipped to meet the demands of an evolving maritime industry.”
The signing of RA 12021 puts more meaning to the observance of the United Nation’s World Maritime Day, the country’s National Maritime Week from Sept. 22 to 28, and the National Seafarers Day on Sept. 22.
The theme of World Maritime Day is “Navigating the future: safety first!”
It reflects the “International Maritime Organization's (IMO) work to enhance maritime safety and security, in tandem with the protection of the marine environment, whilst ensuring its regulatory development process safely anticipates the fast pace of technological change and innovation.”
“The theme provides the opportunity to focus on the full range of safety regulatory implications arising from new and adapted technologies and the introduction of alternative fuels including measures to reduce GHG emissions from ships, as IMO strives to ensure the safety and efficiency of shipping are maintained, and potentially improved, so that the flow of seaborne international trade continues to be smooth and efficient,” the UN said.
President Marcos acknowledged that "we, as a nation, have too often overlooked" the hazards Filipino seafarers face while being away from their families. As the President emphasized: “Safe working conditions is “ensuring that every overseas seafarer who sets sail will come home safely."
We pay tribute to our seafarers, the heroes of the modern world, who despite the risks, go out to sea to continue the role of the shipping industry to help build a better world.
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