Seafarers can file complaint with POEA by e-mail

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino seafarers can now file complaints with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration even while they are onboard, a POEA official said yesterday.

POEA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said the agency will be accepting work-related complaints from seafarers through electronic mail or telephone calls.

Cacdac said the POEA can be reached through its postal mail addressed to the POEA Administrator, Blas F. Ople building, corner EDSA and Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City, PHILIPPINES 150; send an e-mail to [email protected], or call +6328336992, +6325516641, +6325511560, and +63917898699.

He said these lines were opened based on a Department Order issued by Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz in an effort to increase the modes of conciliation and mediation of labor disputes in the maritime industry.

“The Department Order is in line with Regulation 5.1.5 of the Maritime Labor Convention 2006 of the International Labor Organization, which requires the mandatory implementation of onboard complaints procedure for the fair, effective and expeditious handling of seafarer complaints on breaches of the requirements of the convention, including labor and employment rights of seafarers,” he added.

Cacdac said the POEA will give seafarers an impartial advice and assist them in following up complaint procedures.

He said the information that will be gathered during consultation will be kept and evaluated in accordance with existing rules and regulations governing the employment of seafarers.