Seamen’s group pushes for Magna Carta of Seafarers
THE United Filipino Seafarers Labor Federation (UFS) has endorsed to Malacañang and the Senate the passage of House Bill (HB) No. 7325 or the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers through an open letter.
Kabayan Representative Ron Salo, chairman of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, welcomed the move.
“I thank the United Filipino Seafarers (UFS) for their public support for the passage of the Magna Carta of Seafarers. UFS endorsement is a resounding proof that the passage of the bill, with its provision on escrow, enjoys the unqualified support of the seafarers themselves contrary to some disinformation from certain quarters who are benefitting from the status quo,” Salo said in a statement.
In the open letter, UFS endorsed HB 7325. In particular, UFS states that the escrow provision of the bill will avert the exodus of job opportunities for Filipino Seafarers.
“Aside from ensuring the welfare and health of our seafarers while they are deployed at sea, it is also crucial that we put measures that will protect our seafarers’ finances from unscrupulous ambulance chasing groups and individuals. The provision on escrow will greatly redound to, and ultimately benefit the seafarers themselves.
“UFS’s unqualified support of this bill, particularly the provision on escrow, gives me peace and confidence that we have passed a balanced, well-crafted, and compassionate bill,” Salo said.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) released a response to the open letter of UFS stating that it will take all the necessary steps to protect the seafarers from ambulance chasers.
“I also thank Malacañang for recognizing the plight of our seafarers. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to take swift and appropriate action so we can finally put an end to the practice of ambulance chasing,” Salo stressed.
