ICS calls for greater recognition of seafarers’ role in global stability

July 19 ------ The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has called on leaders, policymakers and senior public officials, including those outside traditional maritime portfolios, to recognize shipping and seafarers as essential to socio-economic global stability.

Shipping remains a critical pillar of the global economy, underpinning trade, energy security, food supply chains and crisis resilience. Around 90% of global trade is transported by sea, relying on more than 2.5 million seafarers operating across a fleet of up to 74,000 vessels. According to ICS, the maritime workforce enables the movement of more than 12 billion tons of cargo and over 30 million ocean-going passengers each year, yet seafarers’ contributions often remain overlooked in political decision-making beyond dedicated maritime institutions.

The year marks the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Maritime Labor Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006), widely recognized as the most comprehensive and successful international maritime labor framework to date. The convention establishes global standards for seafarers’ working and living conditions and aims to ensure a level playing field for responsible employment practices across the shipping industry.

The anniversary comes at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty, accelerating climate transition efforts and continued pressure on global supply chains. Decisions made outside the maritime sector — including those related to border controls, public health and national security, increasingly affect shipping operations and the daily lives of seafarers.

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) warned that a lack of maritime awareness in policymaking could create significant challenges for both seafarers and global trade. Furthermore, ICS has outlined ten key policy priorities across two broad categories. The first focuses on developments that continue to support and strengthen the seafarer employment landscape, while the second highlights areas requiring urgent action through greater cooperation between industry stakeholders, governments, trade unions and international organizations.

Promoting regulatory frameworks for employment of seafarers

#1 Protecting the MLC, 2006 as a cornerstone of decent work at sea

The MLC, 2006 stands as the most important and effective industry labor instrument, ensuring decent working and living conditions for seafarers on board ships and a level playing field for good employment standards. Full ratification, implementation and timely adoption of agreed amendments are vitally important. Partial application by governments undermines both seafarer protection and fair competition.

#2 Positive and inclusive shipboard cultures

Fostering positive shipboard cultures is crucial for seafarer wellbeing – including for women and other groups potentially vulnerable to discrimination – helping to build trust, respect, and mutual commitment between employers and workers, while also contributing to business success and employee retention.

Through coordinated and consistent ratification and implementation, the relevant MLC provisions which aim to eliminate violence and harassment on board must be upheld by all stakeholders.

#3 Continuing support of ILO recommended minimum seafarer wage negotiations

The shipping sector is unique in its establishment of a recommended global minimum wage, applying to the rating grade of Able Seafarer. It is essential to support and abide by this international agreement for a wage basis, which is established jointly between shipowners and seafarers, under the auspices of the ILO.

#4 Ensuring balanced training and supporting a just transition

The MLC, 2006 requires that seafarers must be trained, certified or qualified as competent to perform their duties on board ships, including in accordance with standards adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). IMO’s STCW Convention provides a global legal framework to ensure that all seafarers operating on international ships meet its high universal standards of competence.

With revisions to this Convention ongoing, it is vital that training requirements focus on essential new skills yet avoid overloading seafarers with unnecessary training. Seafarers – who are critical to shipping’s decarbonization and energy transition – may require new training and skills development for a just transition.

Areas for action

#5 Ensuring fair treatment for seafarers

Shipping’s global nature means seafarers frequently operate across different jurisdictions and legal systems, requiring specific protections, particularly when engaging with public authorities. Crews are too often detained for extended periods during legal investigations without sufficient due process or consideration of their human rights and mental wellbeing. To address this, national governments should commit to safeguarding seafarers’ rights in all circumstances, including through the implementation of the ILO-IMO Guidelines on Fair Treatment of Seafarers Detained in Connection with Alleged Crimes.

#6 Safeguarding maritime security and freedom of navigation

Merchant vessels are increasingly affected by geopolitical conflicts and maritime security incidents that threaten the safety of seafarers. These threats include unlawful detention of crews, illegal seizures and attacks against ships operating in compliance with international standards and regulations. Such actions represent serious violations of international law and freedom of navigation.

Strengthened cooperation between governments is urgently needed to establish a comprehensive maritime security framework capable of preventing attacks against seafarers and protecting global shipping operations.

#7 Eliminating illegal recruitment practices

The payment of fees or charges by seafarers to recruitment and placement service providers as a condition of employment is unacceptable and prohibited under the MLC, 2006. These practices must be addressed through stronger enforcement of existing MLC provisions, particularly in major seafarer supply countries.

#8 Eliminating seafarer abandonment

The abandonment of seafarers remains an unacceptable practice, with relevant provisions under the MLC, 2006 designed to protect crews from such situations. Governments, industry stakeholders and unions must continue working together, particularly through the joint ILO-IMO Abandonment Database Task Force, to ensure swift action and support when abandonment cases occur.

#9 Securing ‘key worker’ status and ‘visa-free’ travel for seafarers

Regulatory restrictions on seafarer movement — particularly regarding shore leave, crew changes and repatriation — can undermine their human rights, wellbeing and ability to support global trade. More countries should recognize seafarers as key workers in line with the MLC, 2006, while working towards long-term international solutions to enable unrestricted movement related to their employment.

This could include harmonized global rules that remove unnecessary permit requirements and facilitate visa-free travel for seafarers for transit, crew changes and repatriation.

#10 Collective action and leadership through cross-governmental decision-making

Decisions made in areas outside the maritime sector can have significant consequences for shipping and seafarers. Border restrictions, visa policies, health measures and security decisions may unintentionally disrupt vessel operations, leave crews stranded onboard and expose seafarers to increased risks.

These challenges highlight the need for coordinated, cross-governmental action to ensure seafarers can continue to live, work and travel safely while supporting the global economy.

Source: safety4sea.com

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PHILIPPINE NEWS

Article 2:

First tranche of P85 minimum wage hike to take effect on July 25

MANILA, July 19 ------ The first tranche of the P85 wage hike in Metro Manila will take effect on July 25, Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said.

It was earlier announced that the wage hike would take effect today but Tolentino said the official announcement had been delayed because of weather disturbances. "Nilipat 'yon kasi na-delay nang 2 araw yung publication date," Tolentino explained. "Kasi nagkaroon na ng bagyo-bagyo," he said.

The labor chief said the wage order takes effect 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation. The secretary said those who earn more than the minimum wage may also benefit from the wage hike. "Hindi na bababa yung suweldo nila. Magkakaroon lang ng wage distortion. So ang ibig sabihin ng wage distortion ay magkakaroon ng adjustment pataas," he said. "Ito, una, nareresolba itong pag-adjust sa pamamagitan ng collective bargaining agreements (CBA)." "Sa isang kumpanya, may CBA, sila yung nag-uusap. Kung walang CBA, eh direkta na yung employer sa mga empleyado," he explained.

Employees in the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector are among those not directly covered by the wage hike. However, BPO employers may opt to increase salaries to retain their employees. “Yung gap po between minimum wage and higher salary, liliit po. Minsan ina-adjust po yan through CBA, minsan naman po through management’s own discretion. I-adjust po nila yan para ma-retain ang employees. Otherwise, kung hindi masaya ang employees pwede silang lumipat ng ibang companies,” said Atty. Kenneth L. Chua, Member of the Legislative Committee of the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP).

Tolentino said that employers posted a 95% compliance rate last year following the implementation of the P50 wage hike, and he expects a similarly high compliance rate for the 2026 wage increase. Another P25 wage hike is expected in 2027. Tolentino said consultations on wage hikes are also taking place in regions outside the National Capital Region. "Ang susunod siguro na regions ay 4A, 3, at 7, ‘yung Cebu at Bohol area," he said. He also clarified that the wage hike does not cover micro enterprises and barangay micro business enterprises.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com