In this month's news, MARINA launches a 2024 campaign, "Charting a Clean Course, Safely Sailing Together," focusing on responsible leadership, sustainable practices, and inclusive development in the maritime sector. Administrator Sonia Malaluan aims for a corruption-free, competent, and disciplined administration, emphasizing integrity and professionalism among staff. Meanwhile, the International Bargaining Forum has designated the Red Sea and the Bab El-Mandeb Strait as "high-risk areas," aiming to bolster protection for Filipino seafarers navigating these routes. This designation offers seafarers entitlements like the right to refuse sailing, increased compensation for death or disability, and wage bonuses. Finally, the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, in its reconciled version approved by the Congressional Bicameral Conference Committee, excludes the controversial escrow provision. However, it mandates seafarers who win cases with the NLRC or NCMB to file a bond before receiving their awards.

Jan 09, 2024

In this month's news, the DMW eyes Austria, Hungary, Croatia, and the Czech Republic as potential new markets due to high demand for Filipino workers, with Austria potentially seeking 200,000, Hungary around 10,000 to 20,000, and Croatia and the Czech Republic considering hiring 5,000 to 10,000. They'll also continue sending workers to traditional destinations like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Aside from this, Thousands of Filipino workers in Taiwan and Hong Kong will benefit from wage hikes starting January 1, 2024. In Taiwan, factory workers will see a 4.05% increase in monthly minimum salary and hourly wages. Meanwhile, Hong Kong's foreign domestic helpers will have a higher minimum wage and increased food allowance, applicable to new contracts after September 30, 2023. Furthermore, the DMW also issued 17% more overseas employment certificates, notably 608,000 for sea-based workers, a first-time high. Economic recovery from COVID-19 contributed to this surge.

Jan 09, 2024