RP urged to ratify ILO protection on seafarers

In a bid to ensure Filipino seafarers’ protection, a seafarers’ advocacy group will intensify its campaign to have Congress ratify the International Labor Organization’s (ILO) Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) of 2006. The International Seafarers’ Action Center (ISAC) Philippines Foundation Inc. will intensify its educational and legislative lobbying campaign now that Congress has resumed session. An article on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website said the ISAC has secured the support of militant lawmakers in its campaign. Last June 1, ISAC officials and coordinators had a dialogue with party-lists Gabriela, Anakpawis and Kabataan in connection with the lobby work in Congress. Gabriela Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan, Anakpawis Rep. Joel Maglungsod and Kabataan Party Rep. Raymond Palatino said they will review the content of the MLC. They also promised to try to put the MLC in the priority list of legislations to be passed before the 14th Congress ends. MLC 2006 is an international maritime labor instrument that consolidates the 86 existing Conventions and recommendations, adopted by the ILO in February 2006 in Geneva, Switzerland. ISAC president maritime labor lawyer Edwin de la Cruz said MLC 2006 is instrumental for the protection and advancement of all seafarers’ rights and welfare. Dela Cruz said the MLC aims to achieve worldwide protection for all seafarers, now estimated to be 1.2 million. He said that with the help of the Convention, the use of Flags of Convenience (FOCs) and the blacklisting of seafarers, as traditionally used by shipowners, manning agencies and P&I Clubs can be reduced and later eliminated. Filipinos supply a third of the world's maritime work force, making them the most visible nationality in the seafaring industry. - GMANews.TV