DMW, industry leaders working to strengthen seafarer benefits and protections

The Department of Migrant Workers is working with industry leaders on a new standard employment contract and updated sea-based rules aimed at strengthening protections and benefits for Filipino seafarers, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said.

At the oath-taking of newly elected officers of the Joint Manning Group (JMG) and the Filipino Association for Mariners Employment, Inc. (FAME) for 2026–2027 on Tuesday, Cacdac told GMA Integrated News that the agency and JMG are currently crafting reforms that will form part of updated policies for overseas deployment.

“So up and coming will be the new DMW sea-based rules, the new standard contract that we're currently discussing,” he said. 

He said the new standard contract is still being finalized, with a key focus on compensation in cases of illness or injury.

“We are looking at yung disability and illness compensation. Kung paano ba itong mapapagtibay, mapapalawig so that mas ganap yung serbisyo at yung compensation sa ating mga seafarers in the event of illness or injury,” he said.

(We are looking at disability and illness compensation and how these can be strengthened and expanded so that services and compensation for seafarers in the event of illness or injury can be complete.)

Cacdac added that the other aspects of the new standard contract will include “the discussion on other possible terms and conditions of employment.”

The DMW also underscored JMG’s role in ensuring compliance with deployment documentation and regulation, with Cacdac emphasizing the need to ensure standard contract provisions, covering disability and illness compensation schedules, wages, overtime, and other terms are observed. 

The JMG officers who took their oath, Cacdac added, represent around 200 manning agencies that deploy thousands of seafarers every year.

He also pointed to crisis preparedness for Filipino seafarers—especially amid persistent security risks at sea, including Red Sea attacks linked to Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement. 

In 2025, at least two vessels, Magic Seas and Eternity C, were reported sunk in separate Houthi attacks, prompting repeated government advisories and calls to avoid high-risk routes.

“But ang mahalaga dito [what is important] is the partners are together in terms of protection of seafarers in the event of any crisis that may happen around the world. And indeed, because of this longstanding partnership, nasusolusyonan naman yung mga crisis [we find solutions for crises],” Cacdac said.

Cacdac said the DMW will also ensure the continued implementation of provisions under the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers, particularly on protection and safety measures, including safeguards against ambulance-chasing and the “third doctor” mechanism—having a third doctor in the event of assessment of severe disability or illness—for severe disability or illness assessments.

Increased deployment

Despite security concerns in certain sea lanes, Cacdac said, the deployment of Filipino seafarers rose in 2025 and is expected to increase further this year, citing continued demand from international employers.

“There will be an increase, further increase of the level that we attained, increase na nung 2025 then further increase pa yan for 2026,” he said.

For his part, Marlon Rono, who was identified as the lead officer of the JMG Officers and Board of Directors for 2026–2027, said the group’s priority is ensuring Filipino seafarers’ safety even in difficult operating conditions.

“We know that the journey is going to be rough. Not all the time, but you know, all my colleagues here, most of them are seafarers. The sea is not always calm,” he said.“ So whether it's calm or rough, we have to make sure that we sail safely for the protection of our seafarers.” — BM, GMA Integrated News