The Philippines

Some 20% of all merchant seafarers come from the Philippines making it the largest single supply nation to the world's merchant fleet.

Despite perceived competition from other supply states, the numbers of Filipino seafarers onboard are increasing. According to government sources, in 2006 there were 260,084 Filipino seafarers deployed onboard. This figure represents a 4.9% growth compared to 2005.

The Philippine government is keen to promote its seafarers to the industry as the remittances which they send home have a significant impact on the national economy. The Philippines Overseas Employment Agency sets a standard employment contract stipulating the monthly salary of seafarers. This is comparatively low in international terms and therefore attractive in the profit-oriented globalised shipping industry.

The Seaman's Hospital in Davao, due to open in summer 2008. This is the fourth hospital established by seafarers' trade union AMOSUP. Scroll down to read about AOS activity in Davao

Shipping companies also appreciate the general character of Filipinos and their linguistic and professional abilities. However the supply of trained Filipino seafarers is greater than the demand. Those in search of work must try their luck among the 360 manning agencies in Manila. This process can be costly and may oblige them to spend time away from their families.

For recent graduates of maritime schools, competition for jobs is particularly fierce. Of the 25,000 ordinary and able seamen who graduate annually, only 8,000 to 10,000 find the job within a year.

Difficulties with contracts

Despite the existence of contracts and a compulsory minimum wage, seafarers often encounter problems. These include illegal demands for placement fees, delayed payments, contract substitution onboard, early termination of contract, endless litigation on compensation, age-limit restrictions, blacklisting, and unnecessary retraining demands. In the words of Fr Savino Bernardi, Director of AOS Manila:

In the ultimate analysis, a seafaring contract is mostly hanging on a thin thread of good luck, good health, good records and submission to a system that is less than fair.

Training

The Philippines has 89 maritime schools. Every year 60,000 new students enrol. Of these around 25,000 will complete the three year course successfully. The majority, around 20,000, will remain at the rank of Ordinary Seaman (OS) during their career at sea. Only about 5000 will return to maritime school after a period of “on the job” training in order to proceed to the rank of Able Seaman (AB).

Several years ago the Philippines had almost twice the number of maritime schools, more than the rest of the world combined. Following a national evaluation process, the number of schools was reduced to ensure greater adherence to international standards.

Life onboard

Generally, a contract onboard a merchant ship lasts for nine to twelve months. The crew comprises around 18 to 25 seafarers of various nationalities. At its worst, life onboard is harsh, lonely, and dangerous. Work can become a monotonous routine and recreational facilities are limited. Language and cultural barriers may cause divisions among the crew. Discipline and authority are often strictly enforced, sometimes unreasonably.

Working with machinery and chemicals; lack of nutritious food; and insufficient space for exercise all threaten the health and safety of seafarers. Sickness and injury mean an end to future employment at sea.

According to data gathered by AOS Philippines from government sources, every year 200-300 Filipino seafarers die at sea. This figure does not include those seafarers who die subsequently of injury or illness sustained while onboard.

Spiritual risks

After weeks of loneliness and isolation, seafarers may have a strong need for comfort and social contact when they come into port. In many ports, drugs, alcohol and prostitutes are easy to find. Peer pressure and social anonymity pose a serious challenge. For seafarers, there is a struggle to maintain moral and religious convictions; fidelity to their wives and families; and their own self-esteem.

Conversely, in some ports security measures are now so restrictive that seafarers are unable to come ashore at all. They are denied opportunities to contact their families, go shopping or take exercise.

Many seafarers choose their profession in order to support their families. A seafarer’s wages can provide housing, education and a better standard of living to his extended family. But long periods of separation can put pressure on marriage and family relationships. Some seafarers complain of feeling valued only as a source of income, not as a person. For spouses, facing family responsibilities alone can be a struggle.

AOS in the Philippines

The Apostleship of the Sea was established in the Philippines in 1958. The first office was in Manila with work soon expanding to other ports. However work was more or less suspended in the 1970s due to problems created by the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. In 1979 Mgr John O’Shea of AOS Australia was invited to revive the apostolate in the Philippines. Then in 1984, Cardinal Jaime Sin entrusted the work to the Scalabrini Missionaries as part of their mission to migrants.

Today there are two Stella Maris Seafarers’ Centres, in Davao and Cebu, with a third planned for Manila. Thanks to the interest and co-operation of several Bishops, AOS has port chaplains assigned to the ports of Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Maasin, San Fernando, La Union, Iloilo and Batangas. Many of these port areas have set up small Seafarers’ Service Centres for the convenience of visiting seafarers.

Click here to read more about the planned seafarers' centre in Manila.

Advocacy / lobbying

AOS Philippines lobbies for better protection and more benefits for seafarers, often working in co-operation with government and non-government initiatives. Current issues of concern include:

pressuring trade unions to allow seafarers to use medical services available in local / regional state-owned hospitals instead of obliging them to travel to union-owned hospitals in Cebu and Manila

pressuring government maritime agencies to allow qualification examinations in other cities, not exclusively in Manila, especially as most Filipino seafarers come from the outlying provinces.

Training and preparation

AOS offers a programme of seminars, workshops and spiritual retreats for students in maritime institutes. Filipino seafarers are helped to prepare for their difficult life at sea by drawing on their faith and strength of character. AOS also works with the government and with manning agencies to provide orientation seminars. These help seafarers to adjust to their new employment before their first voyage.

Some of the AOS port chaplains and pastoral teams organise ship visiting for students from local maritime colleges. AOS arranges for final year students to make “technical visits” to ships when they come into port. During these visits, the ships’ officers give talks and demonstrate equipment.

Onboard Christian communities

Onboard ship, seafarers are away from their family and friends; their parish activities; and access to the sacraments. Therefore the Church encourages the formation of “onboard Christian communities”. AOS Philippines trains and supports seafarers who show qualities of devotion and leadership. Onboard ship, they conduct activities such as religious gatherings, prayer groups and Bible readings. Some seafarers are also appointed as extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist.

Families

AOS port chaplains greatly value working with organisations of seafarers’ wives. Some of these groups promote self-help and income-generating projects. Others provide a much appreciated volunteer service to the seafarers’ centres. Groups may be organised according to residential areas, parishes, or the shipping companies employing their husbands. All such groups are drawn together by the need for mutual support, friendship, guidance and by their common concerns.

click here to read about National Maritime Week 2007

click here to read about Filipino seafarers and their faith

click here to read about a special family in Davao

click here to read how AOS Philippines supported the family of a fisher lost at sea in Scotland
this story appears on the website of AOS GB