Group calls for ratification of maritime labor convention

The Philippines' ship crewing sector has called for the immediate ratification of the Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) of 2006 which includes major amendments to existing international regulations for seafarers. The Joint Manning Group, the umbrella organization of seabased manning agencies, said the Philippines, being the leading supplier of seafarers to the world’s shipping fleet, would greatly benefit by ratifying the Convention. It noted that Filipino seafarers are employed by countries that have ratified the MLC 2006.  The MLC 2006 consolidates 38 of the maritime labor conventions and introduces major amendments to existing international regulations involving crew welfare that will enter into force in 2012 when 30 countries owning 33% of the world’s shipping tonnage ratify the convention.  Presently, a total of 22 countries have already ratified MLC 2006 and the balance of eight countries is expected to be reached within the first quarter of 2012. “It will be significant for the Philippines to be part of the first 30 countries that will ratify the Convention and put it into force,” the JMG said. “The ratification by the Philippines will be a major indication of the country’s serious efforts to comply with the latest international rules and regulations that will enhance the continued employability of the Filipino seafarers,” the JMG said in a news release. JMG is projecting an increase in demand of Filipino officers and crew in the next two years, further boosting the Philippines current 30% share of the world’s seafaring supply. It expects an increased foreign exchange remittance in 2012 of about $4 billion. The JMG, whose members include the Filipino Association for Mariners’ Employment (FAME), the Philippine-Japan Manning Consultative Council (PJMCC), the International Maritime Association of the Philippines (INTERMAP), the Philippine Association of Manning Agencies and Ship Managers Inc. (PAMAS), and the Filipino Shipowners’ Association (FSA), is also a member of the Maritime Industry Tripartite Council (MITC). The council also includes concerned government agencies, the overseas and domestic labor unions and other industry stakeholders as members. The MITC was created and is currently chaired by Department of Labor and Employment secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz. DOLE had passed a resolution last October 17, 2011 endorsing the immediate ratification of the MLC 2006 by the Philippine government. - VVP, GMA News