PH elected as vice-chair of the ILO Special Tripartite Committee of MLC, 2006

Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz and President Benigno Aquino III. Photo courtesy of Malacanang Photo Bureau.

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday announced that the Philippines has been elected vice-chair of the Special Tripartite Committee of the Maritime Labor Convention, 2006, in Geneva.

The Special Tripartite Committee, established by the Governing Body of the International Labor Organization in accordance with Article XIII of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006), held its first meeting at the ILO in Geneva from 7 to 11 April 2014. Philippine Overseas Employment Administration Chief Hans Leo J. Cacdac led the Philippine delegation to the meeting.

In a report to Secretary Baldoz, Administrator Cacdac said the Special Tripartite Committee is composed of Members with “special competence in the area of maritime labour standards”, and its mandate is to keep the working of the MLC, 2006 under continuous review.

“This is in accordance with Article XIII of the MLC, 2006 and is reflected in the Standing Orders adopted by the ILO Governing Body. The Philippines, as vice chairman, will serve for a period of three years. Our role as vice-chair is to attend officers’ meetings and huddles during the sessions, in order to sort out issues and concerns in the course of the meetings,” Cacdac said.

Canada was elected as Chair and Denmark as Chair of Government Group, according to Cacdac. He further added that the Committee has an important role under Article XV of the Convention with respect to consideration of amendments to the Code of the MLC, 2006.

Baldoz welcomed the election of the Philippines to the Special Tripartite Committee, saying it indicates the stature, reputation, and respect that the country has earned as an active member of the ILO and its instrumentalities.

Meanwhile, Cacdac in his report, the Special Tripartite Committee deliberated on amendments to the MLC, specifically those pertaining to financial security on abandonment and death/long-term disability of seafarers.

“The financial security on abandonment is meant to ensure the provision of an expeditious and effective system to assist seafarers in the event of abandonment, through direct access to payment of outstanding wages and entitlements, reasonable expenses including repatriation costs, and costs of necessary maintenance and support. The financial security will cover seafarers, including those on board Philippine-registered vessels, only,” Cacdac said.

“The financial security on death/long-term disability is meant to assure payment of compensation in full and without delay. It will cover domestic and overseas seafarers,” he further said, adding that the Philippines supported an important proposal by Germany and approved by the Committee, that provides the Philippines flexibility in terms of recognizing the Social Security System, Employees Compensation Commission, and PhilHealth systems.

Press release courtesy of the Department of Labor and Employment, 14 April 2014.