27/05/2024
Labor groups hail removal of ‘escrow’ in Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers Bill; urge PBBM to sign law
Labor groups Federation of Free Workers (FFW) and the Association of Marine Officers and Ratings, Inc. (AMOR Seaman), hailed the bicameral committee of the two Houses of Congress for deleting the controversial provision in the proposed Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers Law that would have mandated the payment by seafarers of an "ex*****on bond" to receive money claims they have already won in court.
“This is a victory for seafarers,” said Jacinto Rivera, spokesperson of AMOR Seaman. "We are now pleading for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to sign the latest version of the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers without the ex*****on bond and the escrow provision,” added Rivera, who is an oiler seaman.
Both Houses of Congress need to approve the bi-cameral conference report before it submits it to the President for enactment into law.
Congress has been in hot water for inserting an “escrow” provision in the bill that would have prevented seafarers from receiving their money claims despite winning their cases in the lower courts, if such cases are pending appeal in higher courts. Congress later on replaced the provision with an “ex*****on bond” that would have required seafarers to post a bond to receive what is due them after wining a case, if employers appeal the decision.
“Both the ‘escrow’ and ‘executive bond’ provisions are discriminatory, a violation of the equal protection clause of the Bill of Rights, since no such requirements are mandated on land-based OFWs and workers based in the Philippines. Thus, it has no basis in law, jurisprudence or practice. It will set a bad precedent and deprive seafarers of equal protection from the law,” said Atty Sonny Matula, president of the FFW.
AMOR Seaman also elation over the bi-cameral conference’s decision.
“We believe the ‘escrow’ and ‘executive bond’ provisions are prejudicial to and discriminatory against all Filipino seafarers especially to disabled and sick seafarers,” said Rivera.
Rivera explained that seafarers seeks payment of monetary benefits because of their medical condition.
“Many Filipino seafarers get sick at work or get disabled because of work, and incur big debts in the process, because they have to sustain their medication. Sadly, others die even before the Supreme Court releases its final judgment on their case,” said Rivera.
The aggrieved seafarer, Rivera said, will be forced to redirect his money to the unjust ex*****on bond. “Common sense tells us that the poor and sick seafarer’s money should be used for his medication and for immediate needs of his family. The ex*****on bond therefore further puts in danger the economic well- being of the seafarer,” Rivera said.
Rivera explained that the ex*****on bond provision is truly violative of the equal protection clause, anti- labor and anti-OFW, making it very difficult for the seafarers to receive the winning award.
”We thank Senate President Chiz Escudero, Sen. Raffy Tulfo, Sen. Koko Pimentel, and Sen. Risa Hontiveros, as well as the other lawmakers in the bi-cameral committee for seeing the light in our pleas” said AMOR Seaman and the FFW.
“We believe our good president will help us and sign the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers as soon as possible to ensure our rights, protection and welfare,” added Rivera.
AMOR Seaman and the FFW also praised DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma and DOJ Secretary Crispin and Crispin Remulla for their stance against the said provision in the Magna Carta for Seafarers Bill.
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