Press Release - Chiz: Long-awaited Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers up for PBBM signing

After over a decade of waiting, the bill that will ensure the protection of the rights and welfare of Filipino seafarers is set to become a law.

Senate President Chiz Escudero thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his support for Senate Bill No. 2221 and House Bill No. 7325 or the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, which is scheduled for signing on Monday, September 23, 2024.

"Mahigit kumulang kalahating milyon na Pilipinong manlalayag ang makikinabang sa batas na ito," Escudero said. "Sinisiguro ng batas na ito na walang mapapabayaan na manlalayag na Pilipino kapag may mangyari sa kanila habang ginagampanan nila ang kanilang mga tungkulin, legal man o medical."

According to Escudero, Filipino seafarers are indispensable part of the operations of the international maritime industry, as they represent a quarter of all the officers and crew on board the world's ships.

"They keep the world's fleet of ships afloat. It is only proper that they are accorded all the rights and protection under the law," he said.

To protect them from abuses, the law spells out the rights of seafarers that include the right to just terms and conditions of work; right to self-organization and to collective bargaining; right to educational advancement and training at reasonable and affordable costs; right to information; the right to information of a seafarer's family or next of kin; and the right against discrimination.

It also provides them the right to safe passage and safe travel, consultation, free legal representation, immediate medical attention, access to communication, record of employment or certificate of employment, fair treatment in the event of a maritime accident.

The law also enumerates the duties of a seafarer, such as complying with and observing the terms and conditions of the employment contract and being diligent in the performance of duties relating to the ship.

"Tulad ng mga karaniwang empleyado ng isang kumpanya, nararapat din na malinaw at mahigpit na ipapatupad ang mga karapatan ng bawat isang manlalayag, kapitan man sila o deck hand. Kung tutuusin ay mas mabigat pa ang mga suliranin ng ating mga manlalayag at karaniwan ay nasa peligro ang kanilang mga buhay.