TUCP thanks EC in behalf Pinoy seafarers
THE country’s largest workers group has expressed gratitude to the European Commission’s decision to continue recognition of Philippine seafarers certificates.
The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) appreciates the move in consideration of the Philippine submissions of March 8, 2022 on actions taken with respect to six deficiency areas of training and competence.
The Commission has recognized the submission of Administration as measures that demonstrate concrete progress and improvement as regards compliance with the requirements of international seafaring standards.
Deputy Speaker TUCP Representative Raymond Democrito Mendoza lauded President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his interaction with European shipowners in Brussels, some months back.
“The President has saved the day for 50,000 Filipino seafarers who would have otherwise lost their jobs, as it convinced the Commission of the genuine sincerity of the Marcos Administration to update and upgrade training standards needed in running and operating modern cargo and cruise ships,” Mendoza said.
The Philippines is duty-bound to comply with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) which encapsulates the minimum requirements on education, training, and certification of seafarers.
The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) audits countries that deploy seafarers aboard EU-flagged ships to determine whether their maritime education, training, and certification comply with the STCW. For 16 years, we have been failing EMSA audits and the patience of the Commission has reached a breaking point.
