Perceptions of Filipino Seafarers on the Problems and Prospects For Shore-based Employment

Abstract

For more than a decade now, the Philippines has been considered the manning capital of the world, enjoying a steady 20 percent share in the world’s crewing picture. Our country remains to be the biggest supplier of seafarers in the global labour market, for both officers and ratings. Filipino seafarers are widely recognized for their industry, dedication, adaptability, and reliability. To maintain this stature, stakeholders of the industry : government agencies, manning companies , unions, schools, training centers, seafarers organizations, nongovernment organizations, supporting industries, media, and every Filipino seafarers must, now, with great urgency, constructively, and pragmatically analyze their strengths and weaknesses in relation to the rising demands and expectations of the industry. They must also face up to the rising standards of international maritime organizations (STCW 95) to withstand the growing competition that is displacing the Filipino position as the number One Seafarer of Choice. To ensure the Filipino seafarers competitiveness, the real and growing threats of competition must be analyzed. To appreciate the threats, it is important to understand the complexity of the marketplace. About 15-30% of maritime graduates are immediately absorbed by the Industry. Others are waiting for about six months to one year, or at times, even more before getting placements. A question may be raised - how about those who could not be accommodated in the seafaring practice? Would this be called a wastage of resources, or is it worthwhile to focus efforts and attention on this group, for alternative employment in maritime - related industry? It has to be recognized that while seagoing employment has been very economically attractive, and seafarers wish to stay at sea for a lengthy career... most will, at some stage, wish to come ashore. These issues surrounding the concept on the state of shore-based employment on the Philippine seafaring profession certainly need to be tackled. Thus, this study is meant to contribute towards settling this issue. The researcher employed a quantitative method of research on the seafarers’ perceptions on shore-based employment. The researcher was guided and assisted by a reputable seafarer organization that was able to gauge seafarers preferring shore based employment to sea-going employment. United Filipino Seafarers (UFS), with close to 30,000 card-carrying members worldwide, UFS has evolved into a very active, consistent, and effective articulator of seafarers’ demands for reforms in the shipping, manning, and overseas employment sector. The study was conducted on the seafarers, manning agencies and training centers recognized by United Filipino Seafarers. It was found out from the results of the study that there is neutral perception on the maritime profession, even though the respondents feel that this industry could contribute excellence to their career growth and advancement. There is favorable perception on the presence of shore employment which the company can support in terms of the earnings they got from the job, and upon retirement would be able to start a new life not on board, but engaging in small business. This is the favorable idea from the respondents that working as a seafarer is a rewarding experience, with material incentives from their salaries and retirement which they can use after retirement. The respondents have generally favorable attitude to their home interaction that whatever they have committed to as seafarer, will be assured of a good life for their families in the belief that their partners/wives will make a good home for their children. The respondents expressed unfavorable attitude towards government restriction on age limitation for seafarers, which could somehow curtail work opportunities for older people. Overall, there is favorable reception among Filipino seafarers on shore employment, which could be as enterprising as the practicing seafarer.