17 January 2023 (Lloyd's List) - LEADING maritime organisations have formed an advisory board to address seafarer issues in the Philippines. The creation of the International Advisory Committee on Global Maritime Affairs “solidifies the shipping industry and Philippines government’s commitment to ensuring the welfare of its seafarers and finding solutions to the challenges ahead”, according to a statement. The committee comprises the European Community Shipowners’ Associations, the International Chamber of Shipping, the International Maritime Employers’ Council and the International Transport Workers’ Federation. It was proposed by Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr when he met the groups’ leaders in Brussels last month, aiming to assess training and qualifications of Filipino seafarers and prevent job losses. The move was in response to a series of grievances regarding the Philippines’ maritime education, training and certification system raised by the European Commission’s Maritime Safety Agency following an inspection in 2020. “The Philippine government through its Department of Migrant Workers welcomes the participation of well-respected industry associations and leaders from the global shipping industry in developing our road map to a just transition as well as boosting the global competitiveness of Filipino seafarers across the globe,” said the department secretary Susan Ople. She assured that other relevant government agencies in Manila, such as the Department of Transportation and Maritime Industry Authority, are aligned to the same goals. The aims of the advisory board include contributing to the provision of appropriate training to the country’s seafarers in compliance with the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Convention, according to the statement. It will also work to address concerns about ambulance chasing and unfair labour practices, and on issues related to the employability of Filipino seafarers overseas, among other issues. “Filipino seafarers play a crucial role in EU shipping and in keeping European trade moving,” said ECSA secretary-general Sotiris Raptis, adding his organisation will strive to facilitate “a productive dialogue” with the EU institutions on important matters about the seafarers. ICS secretary-general Guy Platten said Filipino seafarers make up a 14% of the global seafarer workforce, and the formation of the new committee shows a strong commitment of the industry and the Philippines to ensuring their safety and protection. “The ICS look forward to collaborating with ECSA, IMEC, ITF and the Philippines government to tackle the challenges ahead for our workforce, and to ensure a bright future for our seafarers.”