4:29 am Tuesday, March 14, 2017 By: Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho Recruitment agencies and foreign principals and employers are prohibited from withholding travel documents of OFWs, including seafarers, as provided for by rules and regulations governing the recruitment and employment of OFWs. In many instances of non-deployment, many seafarers complain of withholding of travel documents…
3:36 am Tuesday, March 14, 2017 By: Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho It is settled that a person may be charged and convicted separately of illegal recruitment under Republic Act No. 10022 in relation to the Labor Code, and estafa under Art. 315, paragraph 2(a) of the Revised Penal Code. The crime of Simple Illegal Recruitment,…
2:52 am Monday, March 13, 2017 By: Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho Know Your Rights! From the ITF website Seafarers’ right is a complex area since your rights can exist at different levels and they can be overlapping and sometimes conflicting. Therefore if you have a legal problem, you will need to seek advice from your…
7:26 pm Saturday, March 11, 2017 By: Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho The 31st National Migrants’ Sunday (NMS) was held last March 5, 2017 at Sta. Teresita Charismatic Center, La Paz, Iloilo. Since 1986, the NMS is a yearly event that celebrates and recognizes the heroism of Overseas Filipino Workers as well as their families. Celebrated…
6:10 am Friday, March 3, 2017 By: Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho One of the most important document before any seafarer able to board any local or international ships is the Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book (SIRB) or commonly known as Seaman’s book. This book details everything about the seafarer basic personal information and seagoing service. SIRB…
5:58 am Friday, March 3, 2017 By: Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho Insubordination is one actuation identified by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration- Standard Employment Contract (POEA-SEC) as a ground for dismissal of Filipino Seafarers. It consists of any of the following: any act of disobedience to lawful orders of a superior officer attempting to assault a superior…
2:37 am Thursday, February 16, 2017 By: Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho Shore leave is an ancient and cherished seafarers’ right that should not be denied except for compelling reasons. Shore leave is defined as the period during which a sailor is allowed to take a leave from the ship while the vessel he is working…
9:31 pm Sunday, February 12, 2017 By: Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho What is the liability of the foreign principal and the manning agent for any and all claims arising out of an employer-employee relationship or by virtue of any law or contract involving a seafarer? It is “joint and several”, according to the case…
5:48 pm Saturday, February 11, 2017 By: Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho (Reposting an interesting piece from Marine Insight “10 Professional Mistakes Seafarers Should Never Make Onboard Ships“) There is no dearth of stress on board ships. Ask a seafarer and you will know what it takes to work on board. It is the ultimate test…
1:20 am Saturday, February 11, 2017 By: Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho Before a seafarer can be dismissed and discharged from the vessel, it is required that he be given a written notice regarding the charges against him and that he be afforded a formal investigation where he could defend himself personally. Section 33 of the…