The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the House of Representatives’ approval of House Bill No. 7325 (HB 7325) or the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers on third and final reading. The proposed measure seeks to promote and protects the rights of Filipino seafarers before, throughout, and after their work aboard local or foreign-registered ships operating internationally.

HB 7325 is a much-needed development in advancing the rights and global competitiveness of Filipinos seafarers. In 2021, at least 40,000 Filipino seafarers are deployed monthly and they contributed USD6.54 Billion or 21% of the total remittance received in our country. [1]

In line with international standards such as the Maritime Labour Convention of 2006 ratified by the Philippines in 2012, the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers promotes rights regarding workplace safety and security; fair employment; information and communication; organizing and assembly; legal representation; and health, welfare, and medical care; among others.

This Magna Carta also strengthens women’s meaningful participation in the maritime industry, placing measures to promote equal opportunities, fair treatment, and protection from gender-based discrimination.

Further, the bill promotes accountability as it details the responsibilities of recruitment agencies, ship owners, maritime education institutions, licensing and certification bodies, and government agencies; and provides protocols for the settlement of dispute; all of which will be monitored by a Congressional Oversight Committee.

CHR applauds the Magna Carta’s strengthening of seafarer’s rights and thrust to improve their employment rate and competitiveness in the global market. In terms of dispute settlement, the Commission stresses the primacy of the welfare of the seafarers as the principal beneficiary of the Magna Carta. Specifically, we caution against the escrow provision, which entails that contested funds for compensation regarding work-related injuries be held by a third party until all litigation processes and corresponding appeals to higher courts have been completed.

The alleged problem regarding ‘ambulance chasers’ or suspicious legal service solicitors that exploit accident victims to seek a sizeable cut of their compensation and benefits should not result in a process that delays the compensation for the genuine sufferers of maritime work-related injuries and discourage the solicitation of legal services.

As the country’s independent national human rights institution, CHR highlights the urgent plight of all Filipino seafarers who face various vulnerabilities and challenges as they toil in the seas far from their families.

CHR will continue to monitor the developments of this House Bill and will keep its doors open to discussions and collaborations with seafarer organizations, agencies and ship owners, government agencies, legislators, and other maritime industry stakeholders to ensure the promotion and protection of seafarers’ rights. ###

[1] Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers pushed https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1188131