Vol.3 No.3 MAY 1, 2006

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PNB:
If Your
Money
Matters
Page 4

Maritime Labor Confab Adopted
By Katsuji Taki
Assistant General Secretary
International Affairs & Seafarers’
SectionConsiderable difficulties
have been highlighted withrespect to complying withthe requirements of out-ofdate, complex, and inefficient conventions for the
maritime industry – in particular, for seafarers.
Since 2001, the JSU has
taken part in many meetings at the International
Labor Organization (ILO)
for the purpose of establishing a new maritime labor
standard, and it has made asignificant contribution toensuring that seafarers havedecent working conditions.

A new convention, the“Maritime Labor Conventionof 2006,” was unanimously
adopted on Feb. 23, 2006 asa new pillar supporting international legislation toregulate the shipping industry. This convention provides seafarers with significant rights and benefits covering their working and living conditions.
As determined in the resolution covering the promotion of the Maritime Labor
Convention of 2006, the success of the convention will
depend upon its being widely ratified and effectively
implemented.
This convention aims:• To ensure decent conditions for global competition

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Calculating the ValueOf Your Retirement Plan
Q1: I have been working on board CA vessels for morethan three years. Am I able to receive any interest on my
RPP contributions?
A1: According to the RPP Rules and Regulations, theamount of retirement pay is determined as shown in thetable below. (Ref.: JSU CA Retirement Pay Plan Instructions, Article 7. 2 b)
“Period of Affiliation” means the total amount of timespent in service onboard vessels that are party to the RPP
system.
“Operating Profit” means the interest accrued from theinvested contributions. (Expenses covering administration of
the RPP are deducted from the profits)“Gain” means the payment Ratio of the Operating Profit.
The profit ratio is calculated using the totals at the end ofeach fiscal year and is approved by the JSU CA RPP Administrative Committee. For the year 2006, the profit ratio has
been calculated as 3.54%.
Operating profits paid to members are calculated as follows: (Member’s contributions) x (profit ratio) x (payment ratio)
For example, if a member whose total period of contribution is three years and six months is going to apply for hisretirement pay this year (2006), the total amount he can
expect to receive will be:(Member’s contributions) + (Member’s contributions) x (profit
ratio) x (payment ratio)($50 x 42 months, or $2100) + ($2100 x 3.54% x 30%)$2100 + $22 = $2122

Therefore, the total amount of the member’s retirement
pay would be $2122. (By Yuki Okada, International Affairs & Seafarers’ Section)

Period of Affiliation
Less than 2 years
From 2-3 years
From 3-4 years
From 4-5 years
From 5-6 years
From 6-7 years
From 7-8 years
From 8-9 years
From 9-10 years
More than 10 years

Contribution
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

Gain
0%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%

in the shipping industry;
Fair competition relative
to working conditions has
been established underInternational Labor standards.
• To develop a working
environment for seafarers;
International standards
have been established in
respect to conditions of
employment, accommodation, health and welfare andsocial security.
• To ensure the effectiveness of flag state inspections
and port state control (PSC);
Maritime labor certificatesshould be issued only after
flag states have conducted
inspections to affirm a vessel’s compliance with therequirements of this conven-

JSU president Capt. Sakae Idemoto (third from left)
with other Japanese ILO conference attendees.
tion; PSC should also be
implemented by port stateswith respect to the certification process.
• To implement PSC
inspections of non-ratifying
states;

The concept of “no morefavorable treatment” hasbeen introduced; this meansthat sub-standard vessels
which fly the flag of any
state that has not ratified(Continued on Page 4)

Rules for Use of New Mariner’s Home
Q1: Who is eligible to use
Mariner’s Home services?
A1: All seafarers regardless of nationality are eligible to avail themselves ofthe Mariner’s Home services; however, priority will
be given to JSU-AMOSUP
and JSU-PSU member seafarers.
Q2: How can I reserve aroom?
A2: You can make yourreservation through yourrespective manning agent.
Q3: How do I get to theMariner’s Home?
A3: Please refer to themap.
Q4: What are the per-day
room rates?
A4: Room rates, which areinclusive of breakfast (Php30) for overnight guests, areas follows:• Dormitory Rate (3F&4F): Php150/person per night• Dormitory Rate (5F): Php800/person/night – 1 bed
Php500/person/night – 2 beds (A)Php450/person/night – 2 beds (B)Php400/person/night – 2 beds (C)Php350/person/night – 3 beds
Php300/person/night – 4 beds
(More information on the Mariner’s Home will appear next issue)

Friendly staff waiting to serve you

MARITIME NEWS(2)

MAY/JUNE 2006

UN Urging Action on Piracy

R.P. Hails
Seafarer Bill
Of Rights

London P&I
Warns Over
Following the recent of piracy therein and to take ties, “which may be able toWatchkeeping
hijacking of a UN food ship appropriate action to protect assist, to take action, within

The Philippine Government has welcomed therecent adoption of the
Seafarers’ Bill of Rights,
which embodies the mostsweeping and comprehensive global legal instrument that will govern
shipowners, seafarers,
and maritime nations
around the world.
The Seafarers’ Bill of
Rights was adopted during the 10th maritime
session of the 94th International Labor Conference (ILC) in Geneva.
The ILC’s maritime sessions are held only once
every 10 years. The delegates to this year’s maritime session met in
Geneva to consider the
adoption of a draft convention that consolidates
and updates more than 65
international maritime
labor standards adopted
since the International
Labor Organization (ILO)
was founded in 1919.
Phillipines Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomassaid the new convention
would provide for a more
effective enforcement ofmaritime labor standards
worldwide, stressing thatit “would boost our efforts
to protect the rights andpromote the welfare ofFilipino seafarers.”
The labor secretary also
pushed for the consolidation of legal instruments
covering other sectors notjust for effective enforcement but also to ensure
continuing relevance of
these instruments in thechanging world.

The London P&I Club has
warned against lone watchkeeping onboard ships as
this “increases casualties.”
The club notes that casualties occur when officers
have been standing watches
alone when they shouldhave been assisted by atleast a lookout – and probably another officer.
“Such lone watchkeepers
have been involved in several recently reported collisions and groundings, and ina case in which a vessel
caused very significant damage to charted fish farms.
This casualty occurred atnight, while the vessel wason a coastal passage throughan area in which the master
expected to meet a high concentration of fishing vessels,” the P&I club stated in
its latest report.
The club refers its members to a Nautical Institutewarning that, “It is very
easy for the officer of thewatch to fall into the mental
trap that he is able to copewith anything that watchkeeping presents to him.
This may be a result of misunderstanding; an assumption that it is quite normal
for a watchkeeper to do it all
himself; or even a fear that
he may be seen to be inadequate by calling for assistance.”
The London Club concludes by reminding its
members that “careful passage planning may identify
circumstances in which it ispreferable to take a decision
to augment the bridge teamin advance, rather than relyon the officer of the watch tocall for assistance.”

Accidents
Rise Along
U.K. Coast
The U.K. Maritime andCoastguard Agency reported
an increase in marine accidents around the U.K. coast
last year.
Coast guard chief Peter
Dymond said the small risein maritime accident deaths
from 96 in 2004 to 100 in2005 was regrettable, but hevowed to work hard to
reduce it.
“The agency is now muchbetter at analyzing statistics, which enables us to target our safety messages
more directly, working evenmore closely with otherorganizations to address
specific areas of concern,” hesaid. (MaritimeGlobal.net)

off the Somali coast, theUnited Nations Security
Council has urged UN member states to intensify theiranti-piracy efforts.
In a March 15 statement,
the council “encourages
member states whose naval
vessels and military aircraft
operate in international
waters and airspace adjacent to the coast of Somalia
to be vigilant to any incident

merchant shipping, in particular the transportation ofhumanitarian aid, against
any such act, in line with
relevant international law.”
The International Maritime Organization (IMO)
also released a resolution
condemning all acts of piracy and armed robbery
against ships.
In the said resolution, theIMO has appealed to all par-MOL, Vietnam
Strengthen
Ties, Training

Cypriot Authorities Crack
Down on Fake Papers

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines(MOL)’s expansion strategy,
which will see the current
fleet of 663 ships grow to
900 by March 2010, will
require a massive intake ofseafarers. Accordingly, thecompany has focused on
Vietnam and launched arecruiting and training program with the backing ofboth the Japanese and Vietnamese governments.
The first Vietnamese seafarers have already been assigned to MOL vessels.
The Japanese Government
has responded to a requestfrom Vietnam by lifting thesuspension on seafarer
training under the Official
Development Assistance(ODA) scheme, and MOL
will provide onboard practical training in October.
The company will alsooffer practical training on its
ships for students at theVietnam Maritime University and University of Transport in Ho Chi Minh City.
(Lloyd’s List/Fairplay)

the provisions of international law, to ensure that allacts or attempted acts ofpiracy and armed robbery
against ships are terminatedforthwith; that plans forcommitting such acts areabandoned; and any hijacked ships are immediately
and unconditionally released
and that no harm is caused
to seafarers serving inthem.”

Following the discovery ofa batch of seafarers withfake documents, port authorities in Cyprus and all
Port State MOUs are intensifying their verification of
employment papers.
Authorities discoveredthat the master and officersof Carine K – which wasdetained in Limassol – wereusing Georgian documents.
The ship’s officers werereportedly Lebanese andIndian nationals.

At the Paris MOU committee meeting in May,
Cyprus is to propose that theEuropean Maritime Safety
Agency investigate the matter, possibly by sending a
mission to Georgia.
Andreas Constantinou of
the Cyprus Department of
Shipping said the incident
was a serious issue because“apart from the obvious safety hazards, it also impedes
the career development ofyoung officers.”

Magsaysay
Joins MOL in
R.P. Venture

three 70,000-dw/t bulkers
that form part of MOL’s 460strong fleet of dry bulk
ships.
MOL president Akimitsu
Ashida on March 29 identified operational and technical skills of Filipino officers
both onboard and ashore asa significant factor behindthe new venture.
Aside from the Philippines, MOL has shipmanagement offices in Tokyo,
Rotterdam, Singapore, andHong Kong.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines(MOL), in partnership with
Magsaysay Maritime Corporation, is setting up a new
shipmanagement venture in
the Philippines.
Magsaysay-MOL (MagMol) will initially manage

Don’t Mess With
Child Pornography!
By Vincent P. Higoy
JSU International Service Staff

In the September/October 2005 issue of JSU Maritime
Journal, we reported that two Filipino crewmembers of a
non-JSU Panamanian-registered vessel had been arrested
in June last year at the Port of Vancouver after Customs
inspectors found child pornography stored in the seafarers’
laptop computers.
These computers had been purchased secondhand inJapan.
Now we must report that another incident has takenplace. A shipmanagement company has been fined C$50,000
by the Canadian Customs Authority after it found childpornography inside the laptops of two crewmen.
It is essential that all seafarers pay take these incidents
to heart. A simple mistake – purchasing a used computer onwhich has been stored child pornography – could ruin yourcareer, not to mention your reputation among family members and your community.
Child pornography is a serious crime in Canada – andunbecoming of a JSU member.

With the RCMP mobilizing to fight child pornogra phy, you must ask yourself: Is it worth the risk?

S E A FARERS C O R N E R

MAY/JUNE 2006
By Reydeluz D. Conferido
Labor AttachéPhilippine Overseas Labor Office
Philippine Embassy, Tokyo

As labor attaché appointed
to Japan, where the Philippines has been enjoying asignificant share of the seafarers’ market, it has been
my privilege to join up with
the All Japan Seamen’s
Union (JSU) in forming the“AB – Akyat Barko” team tovisit our seafarers aboard
ships, to find out their realterms and conditions of employment, and to give theminformation and advice on
how to make the most fromtheir stint aboard Japaneseowned oceangoing vessels.
The experience has proved
to be an eye-opener and anenriching one for me andhopefully also for those withwhom we have interacted.
Filipino seafarers continue
to be preferred by Japaneseemployers as evidenced byour significant share of thelabor market. This trend islikely to continue especiallybecause Filipino seafarers
are proving more capable indelivering consistent, quality services, while rivals areshowing signs of slipping
performance. Among themembers of the JSU, more

Put Time in Japan to Good Usethan 20,000 are Special
Members from the Philippines. And this trend extends not only to job opportunities aboard ships, butalso to land-based maritimerelated positions. More andmore Filipino marine officers are finding themselvesin command, keeping andmaintaining the ship’s
power plant, and feeding thehungry pack.
But while most of thesigns concerning Filipino
participation in the Japanese shipping industry are
positive, not all are rosy.
Just like other industries
that evolve and mature, theshipping industry has its
own share of business-, technology- and human resources-related problems.
Dwelling on the last area,
we noticed that quite a number of accidents were experienced last year, and some ofour seafarers were lost as aresult. There were also
cases where some of our seafarers were suspected oftheft, trafficking in firearms
or drugs, or responsible for
accidents, due perhaps toneglect of safety regulations

CONFERIDO
or use of alcohol.
Some seafarers have expressed to me their worry
about possible shortened
work stints because of advancing age and the apparent adoption by some companies of earlier retirement
ages, especially for ratings.
Fortunately most of these
problems are within the
power of the seafarers themselves to address and control. All it takes is the proper attitude, familiarization
with the necessary information, and the healthy support of peers and family to
overcome the problems.
The JSU, through its
International Service Staff,
is at hand, in partnershipwith the Labor Office of thePhilippine Embassy, to help
provide the information you
need about your work andthe terms and conditions ofyour employment.
We can listen to your problems and counsel you inareas where you are confused or have misgivingsand even help you settle dis-putes amicably, should any
arise. You need not fret andget frustrated or keep problems to yourselves. Get intouch with us and we will behappy to help you.
We understand that workat sea can be more burdensome and stressful, especially these days, because thevessels often have smallercrews due to the automation, computerization, or useof modern technology. There
are also fewer opportunities
for rest and recreation or
shore leave because ofheightened security measures. And there are theperennial domestic or family
problems and inter-personal
problems with colleagues.
But, again, all appear lessdaunting and more bearable
when viewed from a broader
perspective. When seafarers
see them as part of an
adjustment process related
to the noble goal of providing
a better and more secure
future for themselves andtheir families, then the problems become more manageable.
The support of peers andprofessional counselors orunion advisers can go a longway in helping steer the seafarer away from debilitating
mistakes.
The problem of job security due to advancing age or
early retirement policies
may not seem as formidable
if the seafarer understands
that his employer’s mainconcern is really his healthand ability to do his duty.
With many developed countries suffering from ageing
populations and their young
people’s refusal to take on
maritime careers, such earli-(3)
er retirement policies may
be reconsidered given theshrinking supply of able officers and crew.
The critical issue is whether the seafarer is able tomaintain health and fitness
despite advancing age. If ourseafarers keep to sound andhealthy habits, then they
will most likely be rewarded
with longer and more fruitful stints.
No matter how durable
the seafarer, there will still
come a time when the careerat sea will end. We have toprepare our families andourselves to invest our earnings wisely while we are stillworking. We should learn
how to generate income
through productive investments that can tide us overduring retirement. Our families should be prepared tohelp us on this.
The Overseas Workers
Welfare Administration(OWWA) has programs tohelp your families for thispurpose. We hope you willencourage your family members to avail themselves ofsuch programs.
Your labor office in Tokyo
will continue to work with
the Philippine Overseas
Employment Administration, Professional Regulations Commission, Maritime
Industry Authority, Philippine Coast Guard, and otherrelevant offices in the Philippines to address your needs
for more efficient andresponsive services.
We hope we can continue
to work together in securing
decent, productive, and rewarding overseas employment opportunities for you.
Your concerns are ourinterest. Contact us at tel.:(81-3) 5562-1573~74; fax:
(81-3) 5545-3447; or e-mail:<polotky@inter.net>.

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)The Overseas Workers
Welfare Administration(OWWA), formerly known as
the Welfare Fund for Overseas Workers (Welfare
Fund), is the lead government agency tasked to promote the welfare and wellbeing of Overseas Filipino
Workers (OFWs) and theirdependents.
It is attached to the
Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE).
The OWWA Fund is a single trust fund pooled fromthe US$25 membership contributions of land- and seabased workers, investment
and interest income, andincome from other sources.

(EDSP): A scholarship grant
offered to qualified beneficiaries/dependents of OWWA members who intend toenroll in any 4-5 year baccalaureate course.
2. Skills-for-Employment
Scholarship Program (SESP): A qualified applicant
may avail of either of the following: a) 1-year Technicalor b) 6-month Vocationalcourse.

children of OFW returnees.
2. Microsoft TULAY Program – IT training on basic
computer applications.
3. Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar.

Seafarers’ Upgrading
Program:

1. Insurance and HealthCare Benefits – An OWWA
member-OFW is entitled toservices and benefits over
and above the provisions of
their contract, offer of
employers, or the laws of thereceiving country.

1. Seafarers’ Upgrading
Program (SUP): Intended toprovide job-related training
in priority maritime courses
identified by the Maritime
Training Council (MTC) .

OFWs and their families.
Reintegration Program:

Livelihood Development
Program for OFWs (LDPO)– The program is a joint
undertaking of OWWA andCredit Programs:

1. Loans – Pre-Departure
Loans (PDLs) and Family
Assistance Loans (FALs).
Self Insurance Coverage
Program (SICP):

Education & Training
Programs

Other Programs:

Workers’ Assistance:

1. Education for Development Scholarship Program

1. Tuloy Aral Project –Scholarship for qualified

The Workers’ Assistance
Unit extends assistance to

OWWA office in Manila

NLSF (National Livelihood
Support Fund). It provides
entrepreneurial development services and credit
facilities to OFWs and theirfamilies. (Contact the OWWA at
891-7601-24)

I N F O R M AT I O N(4)LETTER
from
HEADQUARTERS
Currently, a significant
number of seafarers areworking on vessels flying
Flags of Convenience(FOCs).
FOCs provide a meansof avoiding labor regulation in the country ofownership, and become avehicle for coercing seafarers into accepting low
wages while being forced
to bear long hours ofwork and unsafe working conditions.
Truth be told, FOC
ships have no real
nationality.
For the past 20 years,
The All Japan Seamen’s
Union , as required, hascontinued to work very
hard to protect yourrights, and to provide
welfare services thatmeet international standards.
The JSU recently renewed some agreements(IBF agreement, NoneIBF agreement including
agreements for Japaneseflag and nearseas vessels), activity that has
already been explainedin a previous issue of
JSU Maritime Journal.
The journal also informed you that the JSU
would like to improve
working conditions for
Non-Domicile Special
Members.
One manner by which
the JSU reaches out toseafarers is through theInternational Service
Staff (ISS) system which
was adopted back till
1995.
The ISS shall be visiting JSU members working for Japanese shipping lines in order todeliver messages andinformation from us.
The ISS will follow
this by providing feedback information, themain purpose of which is
to ensure that the bridges
between the JSU and theSpecial Member remain
in good condition.
The JSU would be
most grateful if you took
the time to meet with us
and share your honest
opinions and concerns.
All Japan
Seamen’s Union
15-26, Roppongi 7-Chome,
Minato-Ku, Tokyo 106-0032
Tel.: 03-5410-8320
Fax: 03-5410-8336
E-Mail: iss@jsu.jp
Internet: http://www.jsu.or.jp
Publisher: Masaru Mio
Send inquiries to the attentionof Mr. Masanobu Makizoe,
Director, Foreign Trades Dept.

MAY/JUNE 2006

PNB – The Bank for Seafarers in JapanTo be a Filipino working
overseas means having tosacrifice time away fromfamily and loved ones andforegoing a big part of one’s
earnings for the assurance ofa better life for them. In
plain and simple terms, tobe an OFW is to be the country’s hero.
No other institution realizes the substance of this as
much as Philippine National
Bank, which has establishedinternational banking services for the Filipino since
1917.
In Japan, PNB has been
providing the Filipino worker his financial and banking
needs for 10 years. This is
why every Pinoy in Japanknows where to run to whensending his remittances to

his family in the Philippines.
PNB Japan remains committed to serving the Filipino people, and has comeup with a special service
matching the needs of seabased OFWs.
For your banking needs,
you may call 03-5401-3300(PNB Tokyo Branch) or 052968-1800 (PNB Nagoya Subbranch). You can be assuredof quality customer service
distinctly and heartwarmingly Pinoy that you will
instantly feel at home.
You may come and visit us
also. We are happy to be ofservice to you. We are openfrom 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.,
Monday through Friday,
except Japanese holidays,
and from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00
p.m. every Sunday.

TOKYO BRANCHNAGOYA SUB-BRANCH

Where, What,
When andHow
Q1: Where are the PNB
branches in Japan?
A1: Tokyo and Nagoya.
(Please see the maps)
Q2: How do we sendmoney to the Philippines?
A2: For sea-based OFWs,
we recommend Post Office
Money envelopes (Genkin
Kakitome).

ILO–(Continued From Page 1)

this convention can also be
eliminated by implementing
PSC inspections.
Non-ratifying flag statesshould not receive treatment
more favorable than that
accorded to vessels flying
the flags of states that haverastified the convention.
Overview of Convention
Articles, Definition,
Scope of Application,
Entry Into Force, Etc.

Title 1: Minimum require-

But we have two othermethods: Bank Transfer(Ginko Furikomi) or Walk-in(visit our branch).
Q3: How much is theremittance charge?
A3: To the Philippines(regardless of the amount):
Credit to PNB accounts andother banks = JPY2,000;
over the counter (advise andpay) = JPY2,000; door-todoor delivery = JPY2,500
To the U.S. (accredited
banks) = JPY5,000.
To other countries (accredited banks) = JPY7,000.

ments for seafarers seeking
employment on a ship:• The minimum age is 16
years.
• Seafarers shall not workwithout a medical fitness
certificate.
• Seafarers shall not work
unless they are trained andqualified as competent.
Title 2: Conditions of
employment:• Regular payment ofwages.
• Maximum hours of work
shall not exceed 14 hours inany 24-hour period, 72 hours
in any 7-day period.
Title 3: Accommodation,
recreational facilities, foodand catering:

Q4: When will the accountbe credited?
A4: Same day credit for
PNB account in the Philippines; 3 or more for nonPNB accounts, advise & pay,door to door.
Q5: My family’s account in
the Philippines is not PNB.
can I still remit money?
A5: Yes, but we can help
your beneficiary get a Global
Filipino ATM card.
Q6: What is required tosend money using PNB
Japan?
A6: Photo copies of the following:• Crew landing permit• Seaman’s book (front
page and address page);• Or passport (front andback pages with your nameand Philippine address andcontact numbers.)
Q7: How should I send myremittance?
A7: Send us your request
for a Post Office envelope, by
e-mail, 5 days before yourarrival at any port in Japan.
We will send you a Starter
Kit to your designatedaddress.
Q8: Any other services?
A8: Our branches offer awide range of banking services, including remittances
to the Philippines and othermajor countries; trade forhouses and condominiums(in the Philippines),
Q9: How do I contact you?
A9: Call us at 03-54013300 or e-mail to <seafarers@pnbtokyo.co.jp>.

• The size of rooms andother accommodation spaces, heating and ventilation,
noise and vibration, sanitaryfacilities, lighting, and hospital accommodation etc.
shall be regulated.
• Seafarers shall be provided with good quality foodfree of charge.
Title 4: Health protection,
medical care, welfare andsocial security protection:• Shipowners shall provide financial security toassure compensation in theevent of death or long-term
disability, due to an occupational injury, illness or hazard.
• Each member state shallensure that seafarers whoare subject to its social security legislation (and, to theextent provided for its
national law, their dependants) are entitled to benefit
from social security protection such as long-term security, e.g. pensions, etc.
Title 5: Compliance andenforcement:• Maritime labor certificates shall be issued by implementing flag states,
which will inspect the ships
flying their flags to affirm
compliance with the requirements of this convention.
• PSC should also be
implemented by port stateswith respect to certification.