A group of seafarers on Saturday thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his decision to delay the enactment of the Magna Carta for Seafarers law acknowledging the oppressive provisions against seafarers.
The Seafarers Rights Philippines said the President did the right move as well as the Congress for retracting House Bill 7325, which contain an ‘unjust provision’ on the cash bond or surety, thus imposing an additional burden to the seafarers.
“One provision of the bill runs contrary to its rationale, in particular, the provision that requires the filing of a bond by seafarers who have won their cases with the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) or the Voluntary Arbitrator under the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) before the award can be released to them,” lawyer Melgen Sarra, director of the group’s legislative affairs, said in a statement.
Sarra explained that requiring certain conditions, either a cash bond or surety, before a seafarer can access the awarded benefits is another burden to the seafarers who have already lost their jobs, are injured, or under disability.
“The bond requirement is anti-labor, alien to the purpose of Magna Carta and a counter measure to the very essence of the legislation which is to protect this exploited class of overseas workers. Therefore, this particular provision on bond requirement must be completely scrapped,” Sarra said.
Last week, members of the House of Representatives endorsed Concurrent Resolution 23, withdrawing Senate Bill 2221 and House Bill 7325 from being submitted to the Office of the President.
Legislators admitted that the bicameral committee report contained a provision raising concerns about jurisdiction. This as Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil earlier said the bill would be “under further review.”
The Magna Carta will define the rights and guarantee the well-being of Filipino seafarers, encompassing the reintegration program, complaint mechanism, and social welfare perks.
As the group thanked Mr. Marcos for his bold move not to sign the measure, the group stated, “We are appealing to the compassion of the Congress to show empathy to our seafarers and uphold their legal rights for compensation over violations of ship owners and management.”
“The Seafarers Rights Philippines, a duly organized non-stock non-profit, non-governmental organization, commends the bold moves of His Excellency, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for not signing the House Bill No. 7325 which contains an oppressive provision against our seafarers. We are one with the Chief Executive..”
The group acknowledged that the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers Act is long overdue. “Its passage therefore is for the interest of Filipino seafarers, such that, we call on our legislators to push for the right measures for the benefits of these suffering modern-day heroes,” Sarra emphasized.
“Our Filipino seafarers, like other OFWs, are one of our modern-day heroes who contribute much in keeping our economy afloat. Being the preferred in the global fleet, Filipino seafarers bring pride to this country. Such that, at the time of their sufferings, injuries, or disability, the nation must embrace them and must take a stand in upholding their rights,” Sarra added.