RP, Iran ink pact for Filipino seafarers’ employment

Filipino seafarers stand to get better work conditions in Iran after the two countries signed a bilateral agreement recognizing Filipino seafarers’ certificates of competencies. Labor Secretary Marianito Roque, who chairs the Maritime Training Council (MTC), signed the Memorandum of Agreement with Deputy Managing Director for Maritime Affairs Saeed Izadian of the Iranian Ports and Maritime Organization. An article on the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) website said the pact was signed in Manila following the conclusion of the five-day 2010 Diplomatic Conference of Parties to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW). Roque expressed his appreciation of the Iranian government for its willingness to enter into an agreement with the Philippines, saying this expands the international recognition of the Filipino seafarers’ certificate of competencies pursuant to Regulation 1/10 of the STCW Convention. He also assured the international maritime industry that even as he is leaving his post as Labor secretary, DOLE will continuously work with other stakeholders in the Philippine government and the private sector to ensure the country’s continuous compliance to the STCW Convention and to maintain the globally known competence and skills of Filipino seafarers. Roque said such recognition is essential to the continued employment of Filipino seafarers in the international maritime industry. The MOA with Iran is the 45th bilateral agreement that the country has so far entered into to ensure the international recognition of the Filipino seafarers’ certificates. The DOLE has actively negotiated for bilateral agreements on the recognition of Filipino seafarers’ certificates in accordance with the STCW convention. It has previously facilitated bilateral agreements with 44 countries, including Egypt, St. Kitts & Nevis, Portugal, Qatar, South Africa, Eritrea, Republic of Korea, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaica, Switzerland, Poland, Ukraine, Belgium, Mongolia, Georgia, Ireland, Commonwealth of Dominica, Hellenic Republic, Kuwait, Cambodia, Indonesia, Panama, Malaysia, Luxemburg, Australia, Belize, Liberia, Italy, Barbados, Sweden, Isle of Man, Malta, Antigua and Barbuda, Norway, Hong Kong, Marshall Islands, Vanuatu, Cyprus, Bahamas, Singapore, Brunei, Denmark, Netherlands, and Japan. “These agreements demonstrate the confidence of the international maritime industry in the maritime education, training, assessment, and certification system of the Philippines," Roque said. - KBK, GMANews.TV