Due to the complaints filed by twelve (12) seafarers, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) suspended the license of a manning agency and banned two foreign employers from taking part in any overseas recruitment in the Philippines.

The seafarers went to the POEA Anti-Illegal Recruitment Brach to file separate complaints against JMP Polaris Navigation, Inc., Menh Hao fishery, Co. Ltd and Jui Wun Fishery, Ltd for alleged contract substitution, misrepresentation, and maltreatment. They also claims that the agency collected bribe money from them.

Read full article about the complaints of seafarers against an agency and two foreign employers.

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The POEA Chief, Hans Leo J. Cacdac signed a new memorandum circular that exempts the Filipino seafarers from POEA validation at international airports. The new policy that took effect last May 15 hopes to lessen the number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) that line up at POEA labor assistance centers (LAC) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s three terminals.

Instead of POEA validation procedure for seamen, there will only be a drop box at the POEA’sSeabasedCenter. This is where the manning agencies will submit clear copies of the e-Receipts or overseas employment certificates of their deployed seafarers not later than 10:00 a.m. immediately following the departure date of the seafarers.

The POEA reminds manning agencies that they need to strictly comply with the requirements. The new POEA rule is not only convenient for Filipino seafarers but would also allow them to spend quality time with their families instead of lining up at the airport to validate their travel documents.

The POEA has suspended the validation of exit clearance of departing OFWs at the airports on March 28, 2008, until  March 2011.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) recently issued an advisory addressed to all licensed manning agencies regarding the validation of exit clearance of seafarers at the Labor Assistance Center (LAC).

The advisory states that starting November 1, 2011, seafarers are required to have their travel exit clearance validated at the LAC before their departure.

Learn why here:

Filipino seamen as well as other seabased workers all over the world faces the risk of  working in the middle of the sea. Aside from the fact that a seabased job can be backbreaking and lonely, they also have to deal with the bad weather and the dangers of pirate attacks.

Many ships have been hijacked at sea and they are being held for ransoms of millions of dollars. The human cost to seafarers and their families is enormous.

Piracy is beginning to strangle key supply routes. 90% of the world’s food, fuel, raw materials and manufactured goods is delivered by sea. Nearly half of the world’s seaborne oil supply passes through the pirate-infested parts of the western and northern Indian Ocean.

But the world’s politicians don’t seem to realise the severity of the crisis. World trade is under threat. Piracy costs the global economy $7-12bn a year. Yet even when caught red handed by naval forces, 80% of pirates are released to attack again.

You can help stop this hostage-taking and help restore the freedom of the seas. Please add your voice to our worldwide call for government action. More robust laws, stronger enforcement of international conventions and firmer political resolve are needed to stop these pirates.

How You Can Help:

Support the campaign against piracy and help save the seafarers by signing up an online petition form!

Sign the Online Petition and Save the Seafarers Now!