THE KABAYAN Partylist stands behind a Filipino cook who is leading a landmark legal battle to end alleged discriminatory pay practices in the global shipping industry. After developing a chronic neurological condition on a Dutch-owned chemical tanker, the seafarer is challenging the long-standing practice of paying Filipino and Indonesian crew members less than their European colleagues for performing the same work.
The International Labour Organization’s Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 provides that national laws and regulations, developed after consulting representative shipowners’ and seafarers’ organizations or through collective agreements, should ensure equal remuneration for work of equal value for all seafarers employed on the same ship.
Additionally, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) obligates State Parties, including the Netherlands, to guarantee equality before the law for all individuals. This includes ensuring that all workers are afforded the rights to equal pay for equal work and just remuneration without discrimination based on race, color, or national or ethnic origin (Section 5, ICERD).
Rep. Ron P. Salo of KABAYAN Partylist urges the Philippine government, specifically the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), to explore a bilateral agreement with the Dutch government. “We call on the DMW and DFA to advocate for agreements guaranteeing equal pay for equal work, reflecting the principles enshrined in the International Labour Organization’s Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006,” Salo said.
“This bilateral agreement should account for the complex realities involved, ensuring that Filipino seafarers are compensated fairly without disregarding realities in the industry, specifically those affecting the employability and competitiveness of Filipino seafarers,” Salo added.
Salo further encourages seafarers’ unions to also consider including provisions on equal remuneration for work of equal value in their Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).
KABAYAN Partylist calls on the global maritime community to align with the MLC (2006) standards, ensuring all seafarers receive fair compensation and humane treatment. Salo stated, “We will continue to stand alongside Filipino seafarers worldwide to ensure their rights are upheld and protected.”
