"Overlapping functions breed fraudulent certification, corrupt fixers or go-betweens, extortion and inconsistencies in policy implementation," notes Tony Lane of SIRC.
He reveals that the International Maritime Organization lists Filipino seamen as having the most number of reported cases of fake papers. "There is a perception among the international shipping companies about the prevalence of fraudulent certificates among Filipino seafarers," Lane says.
After acquiring the necessary documents from the government agencies, the seafarer is ready for the market-theoretically. He goes to a manning agency, which requires him, before employment, to undertake specific training courses in a center connected, directly or indirectly, with the agency.
The training courses, such as the 10-day Basic Safety Course, costs between P3,000 to P5,000, depending on the training center. For officers, a special five to 10-day training course can cost from P 23,000 to P 47,000. There is even a special training school in Subic that charges in dollars.
There are also training schools where one need not be present for the duration of the course, as long as he pays the fee. Fortunately, these centers have been identified and blacklisted.
Often, the certificate issued by one training center is not acceptable to a manning agency that has its own training center. "So we have to undergo the same training, pay again, in another center suggested by the agency," say young seafarers who have gone through the ordeal.
By law, manning agencies are not allowed to charge seafarers recruiting fees. However, those who are lucky enough to get jobs are not surprised to see a monthly deduction from their salaries credited to the manning agency.
2 comments:
I was totally appalled and disgusted knowing a manning agency collaborates in faking documents with the consent of lazy moneyed seafarer. They contacted a syndicate in Recto, sometimes delivered to the doors of a manning agency, when you can not stomach the system and tried correcting it you'll end up out of work. Who should be blamed for this scam???
The seafarer?? The principal who in one point wants to ensure senior officers will join their vessel, the greedy manning agency who takes the money from the seaman or we who know the stinky operation but are afraid to expose for fear of repercussions amongst moneyed management and the government corrupt practices?? Where we gonna go... The practice will continue until we break the chain. So we will not catch flatfooted when more accidents will be in the offing.
This is a deep seated problem in the maritime industry. Quality of the seafarer has gone down and because of this officers shortage we seldom get right seafarer for our vessels. Whose to blame? Your guess is good as mine!!!
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