Hotline for seafarers’ rights now available
The Department of Labour and Employment (DOLE) in Philippines announced that seafarers, ship owners, maritime stakeholders, and even the general public who would like to know more about the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, or who have queries on its implementation, can now use the hotline of the DOLE-National Capital Region which has opened specifically for the MLC, 2006.
Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz announced this as she presided over the start of the Department of Labor and Employment’s and the International Labour Convention’s joint advocacy and consultation workshop on the implementation of the MLC, 2006 through national legislation and the DOLE’s new Labor Law Compliance System at the Bayview Park Hotel on Roxas Boulevard, Manila.
“I am happy to know that the DOLE-NCR has opened an MLC hotline. This is very important in communicating the DOLE’s policies, programs, and services on the MLC, 2006. It will facilitate maritime stakeholders’ access to valuable information on our efforts to comply with the MLC, 2006,” Baldoz said.
The MLC Hotline, DOLE-NCR Regional Deirector Alex Avila said, is (02) 440-3918.
“DOLE regional offices, such as the DOLE-National Capital Region, play an integral role in ensuring that rules and regulations issued by the DOLE in compliance with the MLC, 2006, including certification requirements and measures to be observed by ship owners, are very well-known and understood by the public,” Director Avila said, saying that the MLC Hotline was set-up as part of the procedure in the issuance of the Maritime Labour Certificate.
In her message to the workshop participants, Baldoz said that with its entry into force, the MLC, 2006, considered the international “Bill of Rights” of seafarers, is now the “fourth pillar” of the international regulatory regime for quality shipping.
“The MLC, 2006, complements the key conventions of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), such as the Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended (SOLAS); Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping, 1978, as amended (STCW); and Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 73/78 (MARPOL).
She said that in compliance with the MLC, 2006, the DOLE had already authorized nine Recognized Organizations (ROs) to inspect and certify Philippine-registered ships (PRVs) engaged in international voyages.
“As of today, 103 ships, out of the 135 listed PRVs in the MARINA, have already been issued the DMLC Part I, and two vessels have already been issued the Maritime Labour Certificate by Bureau Veritas, one of the nine ROs,” said Baldoz.
She further said the ROs are the government’s and the maritime sector’s partners in implementing the following tripartite process issuances on the MLC, 2006:
1. D.O. No. 129, the “Rules and Regulations Governing the Employment and Working Conditions of Seafarers Onboard Ships Engaged in Domestic Shipping”;
2. D.O. No. 130, the “Rules and Regulations on the Employment of Filipino Seafarers Onboard Philippine-registered Ships Engaged in International Voyage”;
3. D.O. No. 130-A or “Guidelines on the Authorization of Recognized Organizations to Conduct Inspection and Certification of Philippine-registered Ships Engaged in International Voyages”;
4. Labor Advisory No. 02-2013, the “Requirements for Compliance with MLC, 2006”; and
5. D.O. No. 132, the “Guidelines on Maritime Occupational Safety and Health”.
Baldoz explained that the consultation workshop is part of the efforts of the DOLE to solicit inputs to the new Labor Laws Compliance System (LLCS), and to generate views and support to the proposed Magna Carta for seafarers.
“As the world’s premier and preferred source of quality seafarers, the government is committed to exhaust best efforts to protect them and promote their welfare and interest,” she finally said.
Source: Department of Labour and Employment (DOLE)
