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Better Shipping for a Better Future : A Five-Item Wish List for Filipino Seafarers
Quality Education and Training in Maritime Schools
In the last European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) audit of the Philippines, it was made clear that improvement in education and training institutions is needed. For example, the BS Marine Transportation and BS Marine Engineering programs were found to not have been structured to ensure that all candidates achieve the required standard of competence. Even the exams were deemed to have been below standard.
In 2013, half of 91 schools offering maritime programs were ordered to be phased out for not meeting standards. Currently, there are still 53 schools with maritime programs in operation.
Furthermore, there is no Philippine maritime school recognized as a Center of Development or Excellence—an irony for a country that supplies at least 20% of the global maritime workforce.
Failure to improve education and training standards, especially in the eyes of the International Community may result in the blacklisting of Filipino seafarers from working onboard international vessels. (Read more about the EMSA Audit here)
A Fair Justice System
The Philippine justice system is easily abused by ambulance chasers and connivance in the courts. The effects? Major losses not only in money but employment for seafarers.
One of the most shocking cases known is that of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) granting at least $250,000 to a seafarer whose tip of the middle finger was damaged. According to a representative of the manning agency involved, the excessive cost of claims will stop shipping companies from further hiring Filipino seafarers. He mentions that the case already resulted in 250 Filipino seafarers being removed from 20 vessels. The case is currently under appeal in the Supreme Court.
This isn’t to say that deserving cases shouldn’t rightfully receive what is due to them. Unfortunately, it’s the cases without merit that are clogging the courts and wearing down the industry when efforts could have been better spent for those with legitimate claims.
A culture of safety and health
The goal for all accidents and illnesses should be zero- whether it’s onboard or in land-based offices.
Currently, programs related to health and safety are reactive responses to the needs or demands set forth by the international community. Cases in point are STCW training upgrades, AMWA Re-Enactment, and HIV Awareness in Pre-departure Training Orientation (PDOS).
Safety and health should be a culture and lifestyle, and not merely something we say or remind each other to do.
Greater initiative for upgrading
The last Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) report stated that there’s an oversupply of ratings level seafarers. However, the report also projected a demand for at least 92,000 officer-level seafarers by the year 2020.
Upgrading is not easy and there are many barriers to it such as time and cost. Based on an interview with 30 seafarers around the MARINA office, their top three reasons for updating are (1) Employer’s Requirement (2) Increased opportunities for promotion (3) Enhancement of competitiveness. Though the data cannot be used to generalize seafarers’ perceptions towards training and upgrading, it can be used as baseline as to how motivation and encouragement to upgrading can be approached.
Successful, Meaningful Careers and Happy Families
This Maritime Week, we wish every seafarer, and every individual working in maritime to be able to achieve not only a successful career but a meaningful one as well. Work is important, but we also wish for it to co-exist harmoniously with the other parts of our lives, that those around us may understand, appreciate, and support what we do.
Sources:
Baltic and International Maritime Council 2015 Manpower Report: The global supply and demand for seafarers in 2015
Advancing a Locally Responsive and Globally Competitive Philippine Higher Education System
https://ched.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Higher-Education-Accomplishments-2010-2016-1.pdf
CHED
https://ched.gov.ph/statistics/
EMSA Report
http://www.emsa.europa.eu/emsa-documents/latest/item/3130-emsa-facts-figures-2016.html
United Filipino Seafarers
http://unitedfilipinoseafarers.com.ph/pinoy-seafarers-wary-of-recent-ncmb-decision-cites-possible-loss-of-jobs/
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