Ofw News 2

[mimi]

Filipino seafarers in high-risk area to get hazard pay

September 25, 2008 by liza (http://ofwngayon.com/home/?author=1)




http://ofwngayon.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/anchor.jpgThe Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) is set to issue a resolution that will double the wages of Filipino seafarers on ships passing through the Gulf of Arden, a high-risk area infested with pirates.


After a dialogue with ship owners, manning agencies and unions of officers and seafarers, Labor Secretary Marianito Roque announced yesterday that an emergency meeting of the governing board of the POEA is being called to pen the resolution that will amend the seafarers’ employment contracts, local news reports said. The POEA resolution will provide for hazard pay to seafarers. It will also allow them to terminate their contract rather than enter these dangerous waters.
Roque said Filipino crewmembers should be given hazard pay (or double their salary) during the period that their ship was in the high-risk area.


Reports said 97 Filipino seafarers are being held captive near Somalia waters and the Gulf of Aden.

[cmo]

Filipino seafarers in high-risk area to get hazard pay

September 25, 2008 by liza (http://ofwngayon.com/home/?author=1)




http://ofwngayon.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/anchor.jpgThe Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) is set to issue a resolution that will double the wages of Filipino seafarers on ships passing through the Gulf of Arden, a high-risk area infested with pirates.


After a dialogue with ship owners, manning agencies and unions of officers and seafarers, Labor Secretary Marianito Roque announced yesterday that an emergency meeting of the governing board of the POEA is being called to pen the resolution that will amend the seafarers’ employment contracts, local news reports said. The POEA resolution will provide for hazard pay to seafarers. It will also allow them to terminate their contract rather than enter these dangerous waters.
Roque said Filipino crewmembers should be given hazard pay (or double their salary) during the period that their ship was in the high-risk area.


Reports said 97 Filipino seafarers are being held captive near Somalia waters and the Gulf of Aden.

It is a good move by the government to compensate Filipino seafarers in hazardous areas. But the tough competition may exclude the Filipinos in exchange to other nationalities willing to take the risk at lower wage.

One thing I can say is that among the OFWs, Filipino seafarers are the most protected so far by laws.

[Maria_maria]

It is a good move by the government to compensate Filipino seafarers in hazardous areas. But the tough competition may exclude the Filipinos in exchange to other nationalities willing to take the risk at lower wage.

One thing I can say is that among the OFWs, Filipino seafarers are the most protected so far by laws.

I think one reason that other OFWs are not protected as well is the nature of their employment. For example, it would be hard to protect domestic helpers because household employers aren't regulated by the law -- as far as domestic employers go, it's a private matter within their home.

Another reason is that there are a lot of Filipinos who are working illegally in other countries. It would be hard for the government to protect them, indeed, if they couldn't be tracked in the first place.

But yes, I agree with you, cmo. This is a good move by the government. About competition from others who are willing to accept lower wages, I just hope that people -- employers, employees, and recruiters alike -- would respect human dignity and ask for or pay what is fair.

[pinoypower]

It is a good move by the government to compensate Filipino seafarers in hazardous areas. But the tough competition may exclude the Filipinos in exchange to other nationalities willing to take the risk at lower wage.

One thing I can say is that among the OFWs, Filipino seafarers are the most protected so far by laws.

I agree with you that it is good move by the government and that the the Filipino seafarers are already the most protected among OFWs. As for the competition, I think shipowners prefer Filipino seamen in comparison with other nationalities because they are among the best and therefore cost competitive in the long run.

@ Maria_maria:

Land based OFWs whether legal or illegal must be assisted by the Philippine Embassy if not OWWA. It is the basic duty of the State to protect its citizens wherever they might be. This makes me wonder why the modern day heroes have to pay to OWWA for their welfare. In reality OWWA is inefficient in looking after the OFWs inspite of the fact that they have over 10 billion pesos in reserved funds. OWWA shelters all over the Middle East are teeming with runaways and yet for unknown reasons they could not be provided with air tickets. They are suffering and have to wait for the generosities of politicians like Manny Villar to be able to go home.

OWWA, DFA and DOLE have funds ( also earned or paid for by OFWs ) allocated for OFWs and I could not see any reason why the best service could not be provided to our modern day heroes.:emoticon-5: