The European Commission has extended its recognition of seafarers’ certificates issued in the Philippines, which may lead to a surge in demand for Filipino mariners not only in the European Union but in other parts of the world, according to Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte. To ensure further protection for Filipino seafarers, Villafuerte has called on the Senate to pass the proposed Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, which has already been approved by the House of Representatives. The bill seeks to protect Filipino sailors before, during, and after employment, particularly in cases of maritime accidents, epidemics or pandemics, and natural or man-made crises. It also aims to sharpen the global competitiveness of Filipino mariners by improving the country’s maritime education, training, certification, and licensing system. Villafuerte hailed Filipino seafarers for their contribution to the domestic economy, through their remittances which totalled $12.8 billion from 2019 to 2020. The proposed Magna Carta would require shipowners to forge standard employment contracts with their hired sailors and mandates the prior review and approval by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to ensure that the contract stipulations adhere to all the seafarers’ rights. The bill also allows the DMW to conduct inspections and ensures compliance with working and living standards of seafarers.
