MANILA, Philippines — Over 300,000 Filipino seamen are on board ocean vessels worldwide – from luxury cruise ships to giant tankers and container ships.
They are cited for hardwork, honesty, perseverance, skill, technical knowhow, industry, reliability, dedication to duty, and good command of the English language.
Our seafarers, the “sailing ambassadors of the country,” contribute about 10 percent of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) remittances that help prop up the economy.
An international agreement has been reached on an increase in the International Labor Organization (ILO) minimum basic wage for seafarers during a meeting in Geneva on April 26, 2011. The current ILO minimum basic wage covering 48 hours of work will increase from $545 to $555 on January 1, 2012, to $568 on January 1, 2013 and to $585 on December 31, 2013.
The Philippine government is fast-tracking its efforts to strengthen the welfare and protection of Filipino seafarers. The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE), supported by local government units, has created more seafarers’ help desks in the country’s 13 regions for more access to services.
It has continued to implement the scholarship program for deserving children of seafarers nationwide, and increased the number of family welfare officers and counselors, who conduct regular family visitations.
The Maritime Industry Tripartite Council (MITC) recently approved two MITC resolutions endorsing the issuance of DoLE rules and regulations governing the employment and working conditions of domestic seafarers and the Philippines’ ratification of the ILO Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) 2006 which protects the world’s 1.2 million seafarers and shipowners.
As the demand for Filipino seafarers increases, the government, with the support of the private sector and international organizations, seeks to provide them with more benefits. It is a way of thanking them for continuing to showcase before the maritime global community the best traits of the Filipino. MABUHAY
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