On seafarers’ rights, the pandemic and the climate crisis

On seafarers’ rights, the pandemic and the climate crisis
Carlos C. Salinas February 3, 2021 https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/02/03/business/maritime-business/on-sea...

The year 2021 began well for the Filipino seafarer: last January 17, the House of Representatives unanimously approved on third and final reading a bill that will work for the benefit of seafarers and their families: the proposed Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers (House Bill 8057).

All 217 lawmakers voted in favor of the bill, which aims to improve Filipino seafarers’ working conditions, terms of employment, career prospects, as well as enhance their opportunities to fully harness their potentials. No one voted against it or abstained from voting.

The bill covers Filipino seafarers engaged, employed, or working in any capacity onboard Philippine-registered ships operating domestically or internationally, and those on board foreign-registered ships.

It does not include warships and naval auxiliaries, government ships not engaged in commercial operations, ships of traditional build, and fishing vessels.

In addition to safeguarding the Filipino seafarers’ rights to good working conditions and just terms of employment, the bill also protects their right to affordable educational advancement and training; relevant information; free legal consultation; and access to communication facilities.

It also seeks to provide financial and credit assistance to seafarers especially in times of pandemics and other emergencies and for their eventual reintegration into society.

The Maritime Industry Tripartite Council (MITC) shall serve as a venue for consultation and discussions among government, management, and labor to address maritime labor and employment concerns.

The council shall also set policies, guidelines, and regulations for the Philippine maritime seafaring industry.

The seafarer’s life, which is not a walk in the park, to begin with, has been made more difficult by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has left hundreds of thousands of seafarers stranded on board ships due to travel restrictions. IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim has called on the Member States to designate seafarers as key workers, an essential step toward resolving the crisis. So far, 45 IMO Members States and one Associate Member have done so.

Another measure emanating from the House of Representatives promises to make the world a better place for us, especially for future generations. House Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda filed last January 21 House Resolution No. 1494, which calls on the Climate Change Commission (CCC) to deliver the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), or climate pledge, to the Paris Agreement.

Just as the pandemic has shown the necessity to look after our seafarers, it has also underscored the need for urgent action to avert climate disaster. “With the pandemic, we have come to realize that our world is not that advanced and resilient as we thought it to be. Our social and economic systems are fragile. However highly interconnected, we are only as strong as the most vulnerable among us,” Legarda said.

The resolution calls on the House of Representatives to ensure that the CCC submits the NDC “conveying the highest possible climate ambition in a reflection of the government’s strong commitment to climate justice.” This is not just to honor our commitment to the Paris Agreement but also “in solidarity with worldwide vulnerable communities and the global community’s resolve to address the climate emergency and promote a sustainable pandemic recovery.”

The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), a Manila-based international policy group advancing climate resilience and low carbon development, lauded Deputy Speaker Legarda’s move. Rex Barrer, head of ICSC’s climate governance team, said:

“The country needs an ambitious climate action plan that reflects major changes underway in the economy. To survive and thrive amidst the climate emergency and the pandemic, we need plans to be anchored on a bold economy-wide investment agenda. Deputy Speaker Legarda’s resolution, which cites both the climate and COVID crises, is the proper role of the House of Representatives as it exercises oversight on the country’s climate and energy policy.”

The Paris Agreement, signed in April 2016, aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide by 2030.

The interconnectedness among the pandemic, the climate crisis, and other aspects of our lives makes it clear why Pope Francis, in his speech at the 20th World Congress of the International Association of Penal Law, even considered acts and habits that harm the environment as “ecological sins against the common home… sins against future generations.” Let us act now to rectify these sins and make amends to our grandchildren and great-grandchildren.