Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the newly signed Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers will ensure their rights for safe and decent working conditions.
Cacdac emphasized the new legislation during the event “Alay sa Marinong Pilipino: A Special Day for Filipino Seafarers and Maritime Industry Partners” held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on September 27 during the National Maritime Week.
“The Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. strengthens the rights of our seafarers to safe and decent working conditions, including the right to refuse unsafe work. It will also enhance social protection, including health care, wages and benefits, and better legal representation for those facing employment disputes,” he said in a speech.
Cacdac also said the new Magna Carta “will also foster collaboration among maritime training centers, manning agencies and other maritime industry partners in improving seafarers’ education, training and cadetship programs to upkeep with the innovations in the global maritime industry.”
The new law recognizes the rights of seafarers to self-organization and collective bargaining, just terms and conditions of work, training programs at a reasonable and affordable cost, safe passage and travel, and fair medical assessment.
Free legal representation, appropriate grievance mechanisms and protection against discrimination are also included in the new law.
Meanwhile, the Department of Migrant Workers said it remains firm in reinforcing policies in safeguarding Filipino seafarers by urging vessels to avoid going to high-risk areas or war zones, as well as upholding their rights in refusing to sail there, particularly after several vessels with Filipino crews, more recently the MV Tutor and the MV Sounion, were attacked by Houthi rebels. The crew members from both vessels have since returned home.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act 12021, or An Act Providing for the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers on September 23.
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