Manila, Philippines – Opportunities for Filipino Seafarers have expanded even further as the governments of the Philippines and Bangladesh have reached an agreement.
The two countries have formally signed a Memorandum of Agreement on the recognition of Certificates under the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).
Under this, Filipino seafarers will now have the opportunity to be deployed in Bangladesh flagged-vessels.
Among those who participated in the signing of the agreement were delegations from Bangladesh, and Philippine agencies including the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Migrant Workers, Department of Transportation and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).
This is said to be the fastest STCW deal being signed between the two countries, according to a representative of the Marina.
The signing of the agreement coincides with the third foreign policy consultation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines and Bangladesh.
This is to continue bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
As part of the ongoing international convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers was enacted in the Philippines last October.
It aims to further strengthen the rights and status of Filipino seafarers.—Alvin Pelobello, Eurotv News