CIFAL Philippines

Migration in Focus—Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers: Bridging the Gaps between Standards and Capacity

The Philippines has been one of the major sources of seafarers in the world. However, even with the country’s dominance in the industry, compliance with international standards regarding the skills and knowledge of Filipino seafarers has been questioned in the global sphere. This alarming situation pushed the government to establish a bill that shall upscale the capacity of Filipino seafarers, promote gender equality, and protect their rights, the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers.

As we observe the annual Day of the Seafarer (DotS) on June 25, The University of the Philippines – Centre International de Formation des Autorités et Leaders (UP-CIFAL) Philippines emphasizes the intention of this bill to bridge the gap between the capacity of Filipino seafarers with the international standards. This is a significant step in migration that shall ensure that Filipino maritime migrants are safe and ready to keep up with the changing labor landscape. If the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers becomes a law in the future, it will also affirm the significance of capacity building in migration and gender equality.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals and Global Compact for Migration: A Philippine Outlook on Migration and Gender Equality

Migration is a “defining feature of our globalized world” (United Nations 2018, p. 2). It affects economic, political, and social development at all levels. Migration refers to the movement of people across borders triggered by economic, social, political, or environmental factors. Migration could be a poverty reduction tool that benefits […]