Gov’t urged to bolster seafarer training after EC decision
2 min read
THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT should bolster its efforts to improve the training of Filipino seafarers after the European Commission’s (EC) decision to continue recognizing certificates issued by the Philippines to Filipino seafarers, a labor group said on Sunday.
“Now we want the government to work earnestly to ensure that all the deficiencies noted by the (EC) in the country’s seafarer training and education training are truly addressed,” Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa Secretary-General (SENTRO) Josua T. Mata said in a Viber message.
The EC on Friday said it acknowledged the country’s efforts and “constructive” cooperation to improve the system for training and certifying seafarers.
“Based on the answers of the Republic of the Philippines and on all available information, the Commission has concluded that the measures taken demonstrate concrete progress and improvement as regards the compliance with the requirements of the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers and Code,” the EC director-general said in a letter dated March 31 addressed to the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Administrator Hernani N. Fabia.
However, the EC official noted that there were still deficiencies in the Philippines’ system of training seafarers.
Last year, the EC said that almost 50,000 Filipino seafarers working in European vessels could lose their jobs if the Philippines does not address its deficiencies.
In a statement on Sunday, Malacañang said the decision showed the country complied with international standards of training seafarers.
“With this decision, a crisis of monumental proportions has just been averted,” Migrant Workers Secretary Maria Susana V. Ople was quoted, saying the jobs of about 50,000 Filipino seamen have been saved.
The Palace also noted that the Philippine government has been recognized at the European Union (EU) level for its maritime education, training, and certification programs…
BusinessWorld
2023-04-02 12:31:18
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