Upon recommendation of the sub-Committee on Wages, Tripartite Consultative Committee for Seafarers in its 04 June 1992 meeting and pending the study conducted by this Administration on the different rates of able seamen presently given by manning agencies and principals taking into account the recent upgraded rate made by the 26th Session of the Joint Maritime Commission of the International Labor Organization, the basic wages for Filipino able seamen on board foreign flag vessels and Philippine registered vessels for overseas trade is hereby upgraded under the following guidelines:

1. All shipowners and principals shall pay able seamen a minimum basic wage of US$286.00;

2. The minimum basic wage shall apply to all Filipino able seamen on board foreign flag vessels and Philippine registered vessels for overseas trade;

3. The upgraded minimum wage shall apply only to new joining able seamen from date of effectivity;

4. This Circular shall take effect ninety (90) days from date hereof;

5. Existing shipboard employment contracts prior this wage increase shall remain valid and unaffected by this Circular until the expiration of such contracts;

6. Starting from date of effectivity hereof, only shipboard employment contracts for able seamen which provides a monthly basic pay of US$286 or above shall be accepted for processing by this Administration.

Considering the initial effect of this Circular on the wages of other members of the crew, shipowners and principals are hereby encouraged to make necessary adjustments in the basic wages of affected positions to avoid distortion in the pay scale of the crew.

For the information and compliance of all concerned.

Adopted: 06 July 1992