Ask for the official nomination forms from the UFS, Room 303 Plaza Towers Building, L. Guerrero St., Ermita, Manila. For inquiries call phone nos. 5260668/ 5244888 and 5255806 or fax 5242336.

A WEB page enabling workers to gain rapid access to essential information about their health and safety rights and responsibilities has been set up by the Health and Safety Executive.

The "workers’ webpage" http://www.hse.gov.uk/ workers
- covers the roles and responsibilities of employers and employees, as well as issues such as ‘whistle-blowing’ and reporting accidents.

ALMOST seven months before the July 1 full implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS),  port authorities and shipowners all over the world are having doubts about meeting the deadline. This situation is further exacerbated by a widespread uncertainty about the code’s requirements and concern that they will not be enforced uniformly around the globe.

The ISPS, which was agreed last year in Los Cabos and reaffirmed by the Asia Pacific Economic Conference in Manila last September, requires an assessment of the security threat on ships and in ports, the development of plans to counter such threats and the appointments of officers to ensure they are applied. In addition, ships will have to be fitted with new equipment, notably automatic identification and security alert systems.
FULL STORY >> 

CLAIMS REJECTED! 
The Migrant Workers’ Act provides that jurisdiction over money claims in connection with the employment of OFWs, seafarers included, shall be with Philippine courts...

A MIAMI FEDERAL JUDGE has rejected a bid by Filipino seafarers injured or killed in the SS Norway boiler blast last May 25. However, leaders in the Philippine maritime industry said the rejection of the claim should not be viewed as a denial of justice. “It’s just a matter of establishing jurisdiction,” Magsaysay Maritime Corporation chairwoman Doris Magsaysay-Ho said.

According to Magsaysay-Ho, there have been recent US court decisions tranferring jurisdiction on claims by Filipinos to Philippine Courts. Besides, she said, Philippine contracts, by law, fall under Philippine jurisdiction. She cited the Migrant Workers’ Act which provides that jurisdiction over money claims in connection with the employment of overseas Filipino workers, including seafarers, shall be with Philippine courts.
FULL STORY  >>

International crewing confab to be held in 
Manila this November

INTERNATIONAL shipping leaders  have cited the  LSM (Lloyd’s Ship Manager) Asia Pacific  Manning and Training Conference  being held in Manila  as one of the most important industry events of the year. 

The event,  which  brings together the leading personalities in the world maritime and crewing industry  to discuss important crewing issues, takes place in Manila for the fifth time since it was first organized in 1995. 

“The 5th LSM Conference  manifests the role of the Philippines in the international manning scenario and has become an event for the whole industry,” John Hough, the OSM Group chief executive officer, pointed out.
FULL STORY >>

CHALLENGE
What lies ahead for OFWs?
By ARIANNE BLANCHE M. RAMIREZ

Overseas workers can’t be overseas workers forever. In fact, an overseas Filipino Worker’s (OFW) career is always in danger. Unforeseen events like war, outbreaks or a disagreement between our country and the host country can lead to job loss. 
What’s next for our Bagong Bayani then?

OFW organizations such as Forum of Filipino Reintegration and Savings Group (FFRSG) in Hong Kong and PASALI in Netherlands, who have pioneered in savings mobilization and investing in social development projects, together with NGO’s Unlad-Kabayan and Philcore in the Philippines, the Asian Migrant Centre in Hong Kong and Philippines Seafarers Assistance Program in the Netherlands, the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA), local government units in Bohol and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) have come together to organize the International Conference on OFW Savings, Remittance and Economic Potential.

Held in the historical island of Bohol, where the OFWs made the first substantive social investment project, the landmark event brought together some 100 participants, guests and observers from the Philippines, parts of Asia, Europe and USA.

The purpose of this event is to take stock of the gains and progress; to assess shortcomings and gaps; and how to solve them for the benefit of the OFWs.
FULL STORY  >>

You can now join or start any discussion on seafarer's issues anytime or anywhere you are with
Usapang Marino
(Seafarer's Forum)
at URL: http://www.ufs.ph/phpBB2