SOPH Alert: "Maritime Labour Convention 2006" The Department of Labor and Employment continuously strives to give assurance to the rights and welfare of Filipino workers including the seafarers. In this regard, DOLE, as the competent authority in the enforcement of labor standards for all Filipino workers, has partaken the ratification of the International Labour Organization’s Maritime Labour Convention 2006, an international treaty which seeks to protect the rights of the seafarers worldwide. It can be remembered that Philippines was the 30th ratifying country having reached both the tonnage target and the number of countries required for MLC 2006 to be ratified. The ratification was indeed a remarkable achievement because it highlights over a decade of involvement of the Philippines, through DOLE, in global maritime affairs. The MLC 2006 intends to encourage the modernization of shipping fleets to comply with the latest international rules and regulations that will enhance the continued employment of the Filipino seafarers. The convention calls for measures to develop quality shipping and strengthen protection of all seafarers by requiring better working conditions and favourable terms of employment. Prior the ratification of MLC 2006, the Maritime Industry Tripartite Council (MITC), represented by different maritime and shipowners associations, was created to discuss the proposed issuances relative to the local implementation of MLC. A series of meetings were attended by the DOLE-led MITC to finalize regulations and legislation and to address compliances and issues in Philippine maritime labor law and policy. After the ratification, DOLE, as the lead implementing agency, created a Technical Working Group which crafted and discussed MLC implementation plan. DOLE spearheaded meetings with the Recognized Organizations (ROs) on the implementation of the MLC 2006 particularly relating to inspection and certification. Moreover, DOLE carried out consultation meetings in Visayas and Mindanao. Last July 8, 2013, DOLE and the Recognized Organizations (ROs), signed at the OSEC Conference Room in DOLE, a MOA that seeks to provide the necessary balance between labor standards and regulations and the promotion of productivity and competitiveness on the other. The MOA authorizes the ROs of shipping industries to inspect and certify compliance by shipowners which will ensure that the following matters are being observed in the ships and not just in the standard contract of the POEA: 1. Minimum age 2. Medical certification 3. Qualification of seafarers 4. Seafarers’ employment agreements 5. Use of any licensed or certified or regulated private recruitment and placement service 6. Hours of work or rest 7. Manning levels for the ship 8. Accommodation 9. Onboard recreational facilities 10.Food and catering 11.Health and safety and accident prevention 12.Onboard medical care 13.Onboard complaint procedures 14.Payment of wages The MOA signing was attended by officials of ROs and representatives of different shipowners associations who pledged to support DOLE all throughout the implementation of the convention. In addition to the implementation of the MLC 2006, DOLE required issuance of the following requirement for compliance for the guidance of stakeholders 1) Application of Maritime Labour Certificate 2) Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance - I 3) Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance - II 4) MLC flowchart procedures As of the moment, DOLE is currently in the process of tripartite consultations prior to the eventual issuance of Department Circular prescribing guidelines on Maritime Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH). Discussions were undertaken towards the issuance of MOA-Joint Administrative Order among DOLE, DOTC, Marina and PCG. @ bwc.dole.gov.ph
Posted on: Mon, 02 Sep 2013 01:35:46 +0000
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