DOLE puts up Maritime Labor Affairs Office to strengthen seafarers' rights

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has established the Maritime Labor Affairs Office (MLAO) to strengthen its assistance to Filipino seafarers.

Administrative Order No. 283 mandates the MLAO to provide Filipino seafarers with legal assistance, conciliation, dispute resolution, workers’ education, and employment services.

It is an office under the DOLE Office of the Secretary, which is composed of the National Labor Relations Commission, National Conciliation and Mediation Board, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Bureau of Working Conditions, Bureau of Labor Relations, Bureau of Local Employment, Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns, and the Legal Service.

Through the MLAO, DOLE aims to provide seafarers with accessible, coordinated, and responsive government support throughout their employment.

MLAO is also tasked to ensure fair, prompt, and just implementation of decision involving seafarers’ salaries, wages, statutory benefits, and death and disability claims.

It will handle the conciliation, mediation, and arbitration of seafarer employment disputes through the Single Entry Approach (SEnA).

It will further provide free legal assistance thorugh the Labor Attorney's Office of the Public Attorney's Office. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BM, GMA News