The new phase of the EU-funded Ship to Shore Rights Southeast Asia program, which aims to enhance protection of migrant workers’ rights in the blue economy, will provide technical assistance to the Philippines’ manning agencies.
This developed after key stakeholders from government institutions, employers’ and workers’ organizations, civil society, and international development partners met in Manila on June 4, 2025 for the Project Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting at the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Central Office. The participants reviewed the outcomes of the recent national consultation workshop, endorsed the national work plan for 2025–2028, and agreed on the next steps for implementation. The program is being implemented by the International Labor Organization.
The national work plan outlines key activities aligned with four strategic objectives: strengthening regional cooperation on labor migration, including ASEAN-level guidance on labour inspection; reinforcing national legal and policy frameworks, such as advancing the ratification of ILO Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (No. 188) and regulating recruitment practices; promoting responsible business conduct through technical assistance to manning agencies, development of fair recruitment guidelines, and integration of due diligence measures into business operations; and empowering migrant workers and their communities through improved access to legal aid, financial literacy, reintegration support, and collective bargaining.
In the Philippines, aside from the technical assistance to manning agencies, the support also includes development of fair recruitment guidelines and support for due diligence measures.
This will be implemented in collaboration with the Licensed Manning Agencies for Fishers (LMAF), an industry association of government-licensed recruitment agencies that deploy Filipino fishers for overseas employment.
Assistant Secretary Jerome Pampolina of the DMW cited the program as timely and strategic initiative that aligns with the government’s national priorities to protect and empower its sea-based workers.
