What governs seafarer’s employment?

The terms and conditions of a seafarer’s employment are governed by the provisions of the contract he signs with the employer at the time of his hiring. Deemed integrated in his employment contract is a set of standard provisions determined and implemented by the POEA, called the “Standard Terms and Conditions Governing the Employment of Filipino Seafarers on Board Ocean-Going Vessels,” which provisions are considered to be the minimum requirements acceptable to the government for the employment of Filipino seafarers on board foreign ocean-going vessels. (Nisda v. Sea Serve Maritime Agency, 611 Phil. 291, 315, year 2009)