Senator Loren Legarda lauded the signing into law of the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, which she called a huge win for foreign and domestic workers.
The new law aims to secure seafarers’ rights to decent, just, and humane conditions aboard sea-going vessels, as well as filling the deficiencies in laws that have threatened overseas employment.
“We hope that the new law will help our Filipino seafarers, who are among the best in the world, to stay up to date with new international standards, as set by numerous international conventions,” said Legarda, the author and co-sponsor of the measure.
“We also aim to take care of their families — the very reason why our heroic migrant workers toil night and day on the other side of the planet — just to give them a better life,” she added.
The Magna Carta of Seafarers will cover all Filipino overseas and domestic seafarers and cadets undergoing shipboard training on Philippine-registered or foreign-registered ocean-going vessels.
The law enshrines various rights, such as safe working conditions, forming labor organizations, collective bargaining, educational advancement, information to next of kin, passage and safe travel, and protection against harassment and discrimination.
As of 2022, about 490,000 Filipino sailors were plying the world’s ships, helping to keep the global supply chain unimpeded and ensure the safety of both passengers and cargo.
“We were growing concerned about the dangerous conditions many of our seafarers endure, as well as poor treatment and salaries from their superiors. We want to put an end to this,” asserted the four-term lawmaker.
“As we put our Filipino seafarers on a pedestal as one of the world’s best, they should be recognized and treated as such by a country thankful for their sacrifice, to make their families, and the economy, better.”