Philippine E-Journals

Extent of Racial Discrimination, Degree of Conflict, and Coping Strategies of Selected Filipino Seafarers

Rudolf Reyes | Christian Atijon | Robin Flores | Arnold Cruz | Jofferson Ponteres

 

Abstract:

There are many factors why people are discriminated. However, most of the bases were race, ethnicity, physical features, and communication; and these are commonly experienced in various settings such as schools, work places, social gatherings among others. If these settings are vulnerable to discriminatory situations, the researchers believe that it can also happen to seafarers who were on board a ship. Hence, the researchers investigated the extent of racial discrimination, degree of conflict, and the coping strategies of selected Filipino seafarers. Specifically, the study determined relative profiles of the respondents; the extent of racial discrimination they experienced; the degree of conflict they have encountered; the relationship between racial discrimination and degree of conflict they have experienced; the significant difference in the racial discrimination they experienced; and, the coping strategies they applied in countering the discrimination and conflicts they experienced. Using descriptive-survey as method in gathering data, the researchers employed 100 Filipino seafarers who have boarded an international vessel for at least 1 year. Convenience sampling was used in choosing the respondents who were taken in Kalaw Avenue, Manila. A researcher-made questionnaire, framed after the theories and literatures reflected in the study was used. Frequency, percentage, weighted mean, analysis of variance and Pearson product-moment correlation were also used to treat the data of the study. Finally, the study was conducted from June 2016 to October 2016. Based on the result of the study, majority of the respondents are from Luzon (34%) and Visayas (28%), between 21 to 50 years old (89%), Roman Catholic (89%), married (61%), boarded bulk carrier (40%), and general cargo (32%) vessels, have vessel experience from 1 to 20 years (90%), and have Filipino (27%), Russian (26%), and Dutch (19%), and Greek (17%) senior officers. It was revealed that the respondents “almost never experienced” the racial discrimination indicators (AWM=1.92). Likewise, the respondents did not experience conflicts arising from the discrimination onboard (AWM=2.30). However, traces of arguments brought by discrimination were revealed due to a borderline mean of 2.50 which is near to an "agree" interpretation. With this scenario, the respondents therefore "sometimes" applied the various coping strategies outlined in the study (AWM=3.47). A significant relationship between racial discrimination and degree of conflicts was revealed. However, only the age and religion have revealed significant difference in the racial discrimination experienced by the respondents. Though few traces of discrimination experienced on board by Filipino seafarer was revealed, it is still recommended that Filipino seafarers apply understanding and good camaraderie to foreign crews to avoid future conflicts. Further study on seafarer's culture and behaviour can also be undertaken to promote unity on board.