Philippines Approves Magna Carta to Protect Rights of Filipino Seafarers

The Senate of the Philippines has approved the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, a bill that aims to secure the rights of seafarers and set guidelines for their employment, training, and retirement. The bill was approved with 14 votes in favor and no negative votes or abstentions. It seeks to implement the standards set by the Maritime Labor Convention of 2006 to protect the rights and welfare of Filipino seafarers. The bill does not include the controversial escrow provision, which would have affected the finality of decisions issued by the National Labor Relations Commission and the National Conciliation and Mediation Board.

The Magna Carta bill was first filed during the 13th Congress and was reintroduced in the 19th Congress by 14 senators. Interpellations and amendments were conducted before the bill was approved by the Senate two days after being certified as urgent by President Bongbong Marcos. The House of Representatives had previously approved its own version of the bill, which included the escrow provision. The Magna Carta is seen as crucial for protecting the rights of Filipino seafarers, who make up a significant portion of the global maritime labor force.

The Philippines is a major supplier of maritime labor, with an estimated one Filipino seafarer for every four to five crew members on board a vessel. In 2022, Filipino seafarers deployed reached 489,852, with corresponding remittances amounting to $6,715,880,000. The Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers is seen as an important step in recognizing the vital role of seafarers in the development of the Philippines as a maritime country.

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