POEA resolution
Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) issued resolution to inform that seafarers sailing to Yemen ports will receive a premium pay due to the deteriorating political and security situation in the country.
The resolution states the following for Filipino seafarers board ships calling on any of the ports in Yemen
- The payment of premium pay shall apply to all seafarers on ships calling on all ports of Yemen. In the case of ships calling on any of the ports in Yemen, seafarers shall receive a premium pay equivalent to 100% of the basic wage from the time the ship is berthed securely alongside up to the time the vessel departs its berth and the last line is let go for departure on passage.
- For ships covered by a collective agreement that provides for premium pay which is the same as, or higher than, the premium pay for entry into Yemen mentioned above, no double application of premium pay shall be allowed; provided however, where a collective agreement provides a higher premium pay, such higher rate shall apply
- Seafarer shall be given the right to accept or decline to join the vessel if it trades exclusively in Yemen or when the vessel is expected to call on any Yemeni port.
- Seafarers opting not to continue his service on board under the conditions provided in Paragraph 4 above, shall be entitled to free repatriation to his point of hire, termination pay equivalent to one month basic wage, earned wages and leave pay.
The POEA also issued Advisory on February informing all shipping companies, ship manning agencies, and seafarers that crew change and crew shore leave in Yemen are not allowed. The advisory followed the warning issued by major ship insurance companies and protection and indemnity (P and I) clubs to ship owners regarding the worsening security conditions in Yemen affecting the ports.
