28-9-2023 (MANILA) The Senate has given its final approval to the Magna Carta of Seafarers, a landmark legislation designed to safeguard the rights of Filipino mariners and establish comprehensive guidelines for their training and overseas employment.
On Wednesday evening, Senate Bill 2221 secured 14 affirmative votes, marking a significant step in recognising and protecting the rights of seafarers in the Philippines.
The Magna Carta of Seafarers is an essential piece of legislation that seeks to ensure that Filipino seafarers are entitled to decent, fair, and humane conditions while serving aboard sea-going vessels. It also establishes clear standards for their training and education, overseas employment, and retirement.
The bill’s passage came just two days after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos certified it as an urgent priority.
However, it’s worth noting that the bill did face criticism earlier this year from the Migrante International, a coalition of migrant workers. They expressed concerns about certain provisions they deemed “anti-seafarer,” particularly the insertion of an “escrow provision” which they considered unconstitutional. This provision stipulated that money awards granted to seafarers by the National Labor Relations Commission or the National Conciliation and Mediation Board would not be disbursed to them in full.
Additionally, the bill was criticized for excluding fisherfolk from the protective measures that apply to seafarers. Migrante argued that fisherfolk should be entitled to the same rights as seafarers under the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration’s guidelines, highlighting the significant exploitation and abuse faced by fisherfolk.
