Seafarers

Seafarers 

Captain Ricardo Caballero

The Shipping industry has become extremely competitive. Hiring crew from "third" world countries can save shipowners some significant bucks. The Filipino, one of the most common nationality found aboard,  constitutes a large cut in expenses for many companies. Their salaries are normally well below from that of their "first world" counterpart, a situation which is considered fair bdcause it is "cheaper" to live in the Phillipines than, let's say, in France.

But, for shipping the savings are not only in the third world crew remunerations but in the fact that these crews spend longer periods of time aboard than, again, their "first world" counterpart. Granted, third world crew benefit from this labor relation since it enables them to have good earnings if compared to their companions working ashore back home. It is also understandable that the Captain and officers, bearing more responsibility, deserve to have shorter work periods than the rest of the crew. However, and it most cases,  when it happens that the whole crew is from a third world country then such condition ceases to be valid. In this case the Filipino Captain would spend more time aboard than an European Captain, for example. 

Why the difference? I can understand, though I don't agree with, the difference in pay, but I cannot understand the difference in time. Of course, the longer the seaman remains aboard the less money the company will have to spend in repatriation. The savings here is in airline tickets. How much? It will depend, but it is certainly less than if the work periods were shorter. 

But why isn't time equal for everybody performing equal functions aboard? 

Third world crews have family just like "first world" crews do. A month is the same for everybody. There isn't a "third world" month and a "first world" month. So why the difference? I already said it: money. And money creates a gap in working conditions.

 Staying aboard for 8 consecutive months is not the same as staying for 4 months. These days shore leave is limited. Ships spend little time in port. It is like staying aboard a "floating jail" ( ok, getting paid for it). Longer periods mean more fatigue, both physically and psychologically.  

I know that there is a "free" labor market out there and who ever is less "expensive" and able to do the job, will be hired.  I also know that shipping companies have the right to setttle agreements with (unions?) crews from any nationality, provided the STCW is complied with and there are no violations of ITF conditions. Moreover, I know that many third country seafarers are satisfied to have a job in spite of the unfair, sometime discriminatory, conditions. But, I think it is time to "humanize" the industry by doing away with discriminatory measures that take advantage from third world seafarers. The industry should always find ways to improve the live of sailors, indistinct of their nationality. They are the ones watching after their ships, the ones that take care of their business.

Why the difference? Isn't it that,  after all, when it comes to crews, "everybody is on the same boat".