Thousands of Filipino expats working as seafarers could stand to lose their jobs by October 30 of this year if the country gets blacklisted by an international safety authority, a lawmaker warned.

According to a GMA News report, Filipino sailors working aboard European ships may lose their jobs because the country still hasn't complied with the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), implemented by the European Maritime Safety Authority (EMSA). Philippine lawmaker John Bertiz III said that as early as 2003, EMSA had requested the Philippines to adopt the STCW standard for the training and certification of seafarers.

Bertiz's comments came to light after his office received several complaints from seafarer's groups and organisations.

His sentiments were echoed by Bienvendio Lorque, chief engineer of the Association of Marine Officers in Rating. Lorque revealed that the Philippines was non-compliant with several of the standards being enforced by EMSA. He also shed light on the improper monitoring of the country's maritime schools.

There are about 80,000 Filipino sailors aboard European ships.

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