Continued pay for captive seafarers

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III has welcomed the proposed amendments to the 2006 Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) that guarantee abducted seafarers would continue to be compensated even if their work contracts have expired.

“With these proposed new amendments to the maritime convention, Filipino seafarers and their families will be assured of stronger protection during very difficult times,” Bello said in a statement.

Bello said the amendments were expected to be approved during the conference of the International Labor Organization next month. —Jovic Yee