Training held for Maritime Inspectors PHL gears up for MLC, 2006 enforcement
Adopted in February 2006 by the ILO, MLC, 2006 served as a response to the global nature of workers’ employment in the maritime industry to comprehensively address the working and living conditions of seafarers and to set out standards for decent work for seafarers.
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO) and its International Training Centre (ITC), in collaboration with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) organized a training for Maritime Labour Inspectors on 11-14 July 2011 at Traveler’s Hotel in Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. This is in line with the ILO Maritime Labour Convention of 2006 (MLC, 2006).
The training aimed to deepen understanding on the inspection regime established by MLC, 2006 such as flag State control, port State control, and labour-supplying responsibilities. The training also served as a preparation of the Philippines for the effective implementation of MLC, 2006.
A team of ILO specialists, headed by Ms Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, Director of NORMES, served as resource persons. Government officials who completed the Trainer’s Training in Turin, Italy also served as speakers.
“By working together, we can secure economic interests in fair competition for ship owners that contribute significantly to sustainable development not just at the national but also at the global level,” said Lawrence Jeff Johnson, Director of the ILO Country Office for the Philippines in his Opening address at the Training on Inspection in the Application of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006.
DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said the Philippine government is considering the ratification of MLC, 2006 as it ranks as the top supplier of seafarers in the world. One out of every five seafarers is a Filipino accounting to 20 per cent of the 1.2 million seafarers in the world. Ms Baldoz added their remittances amount to US$ 1 billion that contribute significantly to the national economy.
The ratification of MLC, 2006 is also reflected in the Labor and Employment Plan for 2011-2016. Ms Baldoz assured that under DOLE’s leadership, there will be well-coordinated enforcement of the MLC.
The participants attended lectures, discussions, and exercises to apply their analytical skills while practicing the application of new MLC inspection tools. The course was the first of its kind in the Philippines.