The DMW standard employment contract, allotments and grievances
1The lesson in plain words
Overseas Filipino seafarers sign the DMW standard employment contract. Know your allotment, benefits and how to raise a grievance.
The DMW contract
The DMW standard employment contract for seafarers (SEC) sets minimum terms for Filipino seafarers hired for overseas ships. Collective agreements between unions and employers, and individual contracts, may improve these terms but cannot reduce them. DMW Department Circular No. 07, series of 2026, introduced the current SEC from 3 July 2026, replacing the POEA SEC of 2010 to align with the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers.
What changed in 2026
The disability compensation base, the amount used to calculate benefits, rose from US$50,000 to US$55,000; Grade 1 in the disability schedule rose from US$60,000 to US$66,000. The base is not a flat payment for every disability. Abandonment now covers an owner who fails to pay wages for at least two months, to arrange repatriation, or to provide food, accommodation and medical care. Death benefits extend to children over 21 who cannot care for themselves because of physical or mental incapacity. Employers must adopt policies and complaint procedures against harassment, bullying and discrimination. Seafarers already on board on 3 July 2026 are covered by the new SEC; their contracts are re-signed only when particulars change, such as an extension, promotion or new ship (DMW Advisory No. 37, s. 2026).
Pay and allotment
An allotment is the part of your pay sent to your designated family member in the Philippines. The IRR requires at least 80 % of monthly salary, paid monthly. Normal limits are 14 hours of work in 24 hours and 72 in seven days, or at least 10 hours of rest in 24 hours and 77 in seven days. Only authorised watchkeeper exceptions may reduce weekly rest to 70 hours; check the IRR safeguards. Watchkeeping alone does not authorise an exception.
Grievances
Normally, raise your grievance in writing with your head of department first, unless your collective agreement says otherwise. You may bring a fellow seafarer. The department head should seek settlement promptly, within the time limits of your contract's on-board grievance procedure, and record the result. If unresolved, take it to the master. Direct complaints to the master or appropriate outside authorities remain available at any time. Ashore, mandatory conciliation-mediation seeks agreement; unresolved disputes proceed to arbitration or the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), as applicable.
As an officer
You may receive grievances as head of department. Handle them promptly, record them, and never retaliate. Make sure your crew's allotments, contracts and medical claims are handled correctly. General maritime labour rights are in Law: human factors.
2Key data
- DMW SEC
- DC No. 07 s. 2026; effective 3 July 2026
- Replaced
- POEA SEC of 2010
- Disability base
- US$55,000 (was US$50,000); Grade 1 US$66,000 (was US$60,000)
- Allotment
- At least 80 % of monthly salary, paid monthly
- On-board grievance
- Normally to department head first; direct complaints remain open
3Key points
- 1
DMW SEC (DC No. 07 s. 2026) replaced the POEA SEC of 2010 from 3 July 2026.
- 2
Contracts may improve the SEC, never reduce it.
- 3
Disability base US$55,000, Grade 1 US$66,000; abandonment now defined.
- 4
Allotment: at least 80 % of monthly salary, paid monthly.
- 5
Normally raise grievances with your department head; direct access to the master and appropriate outside authorities remains.
4Frequent mistakes
Wrong: Everyone on board on 3 July 2026 had to sign a new contract.
Right: Seafarers already on board are covered by the new SEC without re-signing. A new contract is needed only when particulars change, such as an extension, promotion or new ship.
Wrong: A grievance must go straight to the NLRC.
Right: Normally start with your department head; this does not restrict direct complaints to the master or appropriate outside authorities. Ashore, conciliation-mediation precedes arbitration or the NLRC.
5Practice case & exam keys
An able seafarer tells you, the chief mate, that his family has received no allotment for two months, although his wages appear on the monthly account. He wants to complain but fears being sent home. What do you do?
Show the answer
Record his report now and help him put the grievance in writing. Notify the master, company and manning agency promptly. The required allotment must be paid monthly. Reassure him that retaliation is forbidden. Seek settlement promptly under the contract's on-board grievance procedure, but explain that he may contact the master or an appropriate outside authority at any time.
Exam keys
- DMW DC No. 07 s. 2026: new SEC from 3 July 2026, replacing the POEA SEC of 2010; contracts may improve it, never reduce it.
- Disability base US$55,000; Grade 1 US$66,000; death benefits for children over 21 who cannot care for themselves.
- Allotment ≥ 80 % of monthly salary.
- Normal grievance route: department head first; direct complaints remain open. Ashore: conciliation, arbitration or NLRC.
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