Filipinos sailing on the seven seas : a qualitative study of Filipino seafarers working on international vessels

BackgroundThe rough labour market in the Philippines affects the employability. The Philippines has a unemployment rate of in-between 7-8 percent. Therefore, many Filipinos are seeking employment overseas. Today, ten percent of the population are working on the globalized market. The globalization has affected the industry, where 28 percent of the entire worlds seafarers are Filipinos. Previous researches establish that Filipinos are popular because of their knowledge in English and due to their adaptability.PurposeOur aim is to examine why a group of Filipino seafarers choose their profession. The aim is also to examine how they experience their work on international vessels, as well as if they experience any changes in life when working as international seafarers.MethodWe made a qualitative study through a ship management located in Manila in the Philippines. We used semi-structured interviews, which were applied on ten seafarers.ResultsOur respondents mention the well-paid wages as an important reason when choosing to work as a seafarer. The wages are significant in order to support family members and to have the opportunity to live a wealthy life. The seafarers are working long periods away from home that causes homesickness. A good relationship with the crew is for many seafarers important, since they are living and working together.Program: Organisations- och personalutvecklare i samhälle