DMW-CAR highlights seafarers’ rights, understanding contracts, maritime laws

DMW-CAR highlights seafarers’ rights, understanding contracts, maritime laws
PIA-CAR October 15, 2026 https://pia.gov.ph/news/luzon/car/dmw-car-highlights-seafarers-rights-un...

BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Department of Migrant Workers-Cordillera Administrative Region (DMW-CAR) highlighted the importance of protecting Filipino seafarers’ rights.

Maritime legal advocate Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho, in a seminar at the DMW-CAR office in Baguio City on October 9, 2026, provided participants with information on the legal frameworks governing seafarers’ employment and the importance of understanding their rights before accepting work at sea.

“A job of a seafarer’s rights is not exactly a walk in the park,” Gorecho said, emphasizing the challenges involved in protecting seafarers’ rights.

He explained that seafarers must be familiar with the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, applicable labor laws, and international maritime conventions to better understand their rights and responsibilities while working aboard ships.

Among the international conventions discussed were the Maritime Labour Convention, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.

These conventions cover labor standards, marine environmental protection, training and certification, and safety at sea.

Gorecho also stressed the importance of reviewing employment contracts before signing, as these documents specify the agreed terms and conditions between seafarers and their employers.

“Your contract must be filled up before you sign it. Approved by DMW. No second contract on board is allowed. Tandaan ni’yo, the contract is between two parties,” he said.

Contracts should clearly indicate the seafarer’s position, salary, working hours, overtime pay, vacation leave, length of service, and other employment conditions, he added.

DMW records show 589,179 seafarer deployments in 2025. Gorecho, however, clarified that the figure represents deployments rather than the actual number of individual seafarers since one person may be deployed more than once in a year.

He also presented figures from a survey by the Baltic and International Maritime Council and the International Chamber of Shipping, that listed 203,179 Filipino officers and 256,968 ratings, underscoring the Philippines’ contribution to the global maritime workforce. (JDP/DEG – PIA-CAR w/ GIP Floribel Sad-o)