PUNTO
DE VISTA
Paul S. Esber
Honoring the country's modern-day
heroes
MY objective of writing this column is to tackle maritime
issues. I want to inform and raise the political consciousness of the seafarers.
* * * * *
The Filipino legal rights come from two primary sources,
the law and the employment contract. The Philippine Republic Act no. 8042
also known as the “Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Act of 1995" is
an essential source of seamen legal rights. It establishes rights to just
wages, benefits, repatriation and condition aboard ship. The other essential
source is the employment contract but the present employment contract is
full of loopholes which is more disadvantage to the seafarers. It needs
to be revised and all seafarers association should participate.
* * * * *
The seafarers have the right to ask questions about employment.
If the seaman is dissastified after speaking with his ship’s Master, the
seaman should appeal his situation to the Philippine Labor attache or consular
office. The seaman can also contact the nearest office of the Center for
the Seafarers Right or the International Transport workers Federation.
* * * * *
Overseas Workers Administration (OWWA) administrator Eli
Gardiner mentioned about the launching of the special issue of stamps honoring
the country’s modern-day heroes, the seaman, domestic workers, factory
workers and casual laborers. The government is trying to give all the best
to our overseas workers because without the dollar remittance the Philippine
economy will sink and those corrupt officials will be drown. Anyway the
Ship of honest and dedicated maritime officials will be salvaged.
* * * * *
At Luneta Park in front of the National Library, the seafarers
have been discussing not only the national issues but also the maritime
issues like the blacklisting of seafarers, delayed allotment, fake seamen’s
union, unfair labor practices, backlog cases of seamen in the NLRC, the
new employment contract and who will be the winnable candidate in the Party
list who will fight for the seafarers welfare. There were so many comments
about the supposed to be candidates. For Aldanese, some seamen were saying
that he is only for the interest of the manning agencies; for Capt Oca,
majority of the displaced Radio Officers commented that he could not even
honor his much publicized promised to give seed money to displace Ros;
For Nelson Ramirez, he is too aggressive and if he could only change
his style of leadership, he is the right person who could represent the
maritime sector.
* * * * *
The Philippines will remain as the “Crewing Capital
of the World”since our country is already included in the IMO white list.
This is the result of the bickering unity of all maritime agencies. However
the government should also realize the role of the maritime schools and
training centers in the development of the skills, values, and attitudes
of the seafarers in order to produce the best seafarers. MTC and CHED,
on the other hand, should maximize their capability to ensure that we are
moving in the right direction. However, they should also do something not
to make the seafarers the “Milking Cow” because it will defeat
the purpose of education. |
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OPINION
EDITORIAL:
To
stay on the list
SOUNDING LEAD:
Palompon,
a history of survival
Capt. Reynold M. Sabay
CHRIST AT SEA:
I,
a Christian leader, on board? Why not!
Fr. Savino Bernardi, C.S.
THE LAW OF SEAFARERS:
Validity
of quitclaims and releases
Atty. LeonardoVinz O. Ignacio
PUNTO DE VISTA
Honoring
the country's modern-day heroes
Paul S. Esber
Contribute your ideas online!
Express your opinion!
You can now
any discussion on seafarer's issues anytime or anywhere you are with
Usapang Marino
(Seafarer's Forum)
at URL: http://www.ufs.ph/discus
Want to play
basketball while in Rotterdam?
Filipino Seafarers who want
to play basketball on Sundays in Rotterdam, please contact Doming Malaloan
at Tel. No.: 010-463635 or International Seamen's Centre, Heijplaat, Rotterdam,
Tel. No.: 4290702 |
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