Seafarers and their Unions: Example from the Philippine Maritime Labour Sector - Buiser, R

Regulating Occupational Health and Safety in the Maritime Industry: A Case Study of the Philippines - Dacanay, J

The Dynamics of Poverty, Inequality and Coping Strategies among Small-Scale Fishers in Ghana - Mensah, I

Understanding the ‘crewing crisis’ in the context of agency employment: Perspectives from Seafarers, Crewing Agents and Ship Managers - Pepito, R

Ralph Buiser

Research Topic: Seafarers and their Unions: Example from the Philippine Maritime Labour Sector

Abstract:

This thesis is aimed at understanding two interrelated areas: (1) the perceptions and experiences of seafarers in relation to their unions and unionisation; and (2) how local maritime unions operate and are structured within a labour-sending country context using the Philippines as a case for inquiry. It explores the subjective understanding of Filipino seafarers on the various aspects of employment relations, such as for example their perceptions on how unions have had an impact on their working lives, their views on the role of unions and collective bargaining agreements, their experiences with union officials, and their experiences of collective action at sea. Similarly it explores how local maritime unions, embedded within the global maritime industry, are structured at the national level looking at for example their relationship with their members, collective bargaining strategies, relationship with agencies and employers, and their logics of action in maintaining legitimacy. These two general areas are explored with a goal towards a deeper understanding of the interplay of trade unions and their members in a globalised labour environment.

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Jabeth Sena Jepath A Dacanay

Research Topic: Regulating Occupational Health and Safety in the Maritime Industry: A Case Study of the Philippines 

Abstract:

The thesis will explore the impact of globalisation on regulations particularly those that bear upon regulatory culture and the social dimension of regulatory mechanisms. It will examine the present regulatory frameworks and the various strategies adopted by regulatory bodies to ensure the protection of the health and safety of the workers. Specifically, the study will probe into labour regulations and initiatives within the context of the national framework of a labour supplying country to ascertain the effectiveness of these approaches in protecting the health and safety of seafarers who work outside its territorial jurisdiction. More importantly, it will endeavour to ascertain how seafarers themselves perceive these regulations and manage to negotiate their rights under such labour regulatory framework. Since the Philippines is the number one labour supplying country providing more than a quarter of the total number of seafarers in the world, the study will focus on the regulatory approaches adopted by the Philippine government to ensure or afford protection in matters relating to occupational health and safety of its seafarers serving foreign flags.

Statement of progress:

I have just finished my two-semester classes of Social Science Research Methods. I had four (4) supervision meetings for the past nine (9) months. I am in the process of collating relevant literature for my theory and methods chapters.

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Isaac Mensah

Research Topic: The Dynamics of Poverty, Inequality and Coping Strategies among Small-Scale Fishers in Ghana

Abstract:

This thesis contribute to the fledging body of research on the dynamics of poverty in fishing communities. It draws on ethnographic research methods to examine the dynamics of poverty and inequality and coping strategies in small-scale fishing communities in Ghana. The small-scale fisheries sector in Ghana as in many developing maritime countries constitute the mainstay economic activity and source of livelihood for coastal communities. Notwithstanding the contributions of the sector, pervasive conditions of poverty and inequality in distribution of rent generated are frequently observed. The study seek to understand how social and institutional factors and underlying norms, values and power relations combine to explain the incidence of poverty, the process of impoverishment and reproduction of inequality. The focus is on a range of informal institutions- kinship, labour and production sharing systems and economic exchanges and arrangements, as well the activities and interventions of formal governmental and non-governmental institutions. The aim is to address the question as to how and why some small-scale fishers are able to capture substantial portion of rent generated in the fisheries, benefiting from the fishery generally while others fail, operating throughout their lives trapped in indebtedness and poverty.

Statement of progress: 

Finishing my literature review chapter for progress review

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