New medical requirements set for seafarers

Thousands of seafarers are expected to re-take medical examinations after the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) fully implements the Maritime Labor Convention of 2006.

Labor secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said any medical certificate utilizing the form issued before April 1, 2013 is no longer valid. Baldoz adds seafarers will now be required to submit medical certificates using the Department of Health’s new Pre-employment Medical Examination (PEME) Certificate for Service at Sea.

Baldoz however clarified seafarers currently on board sea vessels will still be able to use their previous medical certificates as long as they were issued “Fit for Duty Medical Certificate”.

The Labor and Employment Secretary is now calling both ship owners and manning agencies to facilitate the re-issuance of the new medical certificates on behalf of seafarers’ currently onboard ships.