Positibo si Senator Sonny Angara na maisasabatas ang Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers na layong bigyang proteksyon ang karapatan ng mga Pilipinong seafarers.
Pagpupunto ni Angara, higit isang dekada nang nakabinbin sa legislative mill ang Senate Bill No. 2369.
“We have filed this bill numerous times. It’s very important to honor the contribution of our seafarers to our nation’s economy, that’s why it is only right that we strengthen their rights and provide more protection under this proposed law,” ani ni Angara na isa sa mga may akda ng batas.
Handa na para sa plenary debate ang panukalang batas na layong pangalagaan ang ilang karapatan ng mga Pilipinong mandaragat kabilang na ang karapatan sa makatarungang ‘terms and conditions’; karapatan na makapag-organisa, maging sangkot sa collective bargaining, at karapatang makilahok sa democratic exercise at maraming iba pa.
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Sa panukalang batas, masisiguro ring nabibigyan ng maayos na benepisyo ang mga Filipino seafarers kagaya ng disenteng accommodation, sanitation, recreation at food facilities.
“Definitely this Magna Carta of Seafarers will continue the tradition of helping our seafarers. This bill has been pending in the legislative mill for some time, over a decade if I’m not mistaken,” sabi ni Angara.
“I pay tribute to Sen. Joel Villanueva for using his considerable political skills, his considerable savvy and his hard work in coming up with a version that I think reconciles the interest of the various stakeholders,” dagdag ng magbabatas.
Ani ni Villanueva, pasok sa pamantayan ng na itinakda ng international conventions and agreements on the occupational safety and health of seafarers kagaya ng Maritime Labor Convention of 2006 na pinirmahan ng Pilipinas taong 2012.
“The Magna Carta lives up to its name as a forward-looking measure that responds to rising trends in the maritime world, like the growing participation of women,” sabi ni Villanueva.
Hannah Torregoza
