Participation in the global labour market: experience and responses of chinese seafarers

Abstract

Regarding their participation in the global labour market, this paper draws attention to the complexity of Chinese seafarer composition and experience. How do they approach the opportunities available? What is the linkage between working for the national fleet and working onboard foreign vessels? Which factors influence their participation? The above issues are addressed by a questionnaire survey conducted in the Port of Hong Kong in 2002/2003. There are many findings from this survey. First, differing from the sole employment pattern of state-owned enterprise (SOE) in the past, a new group, called non-state-owned (NSO) seafarers, is emerging with the target of international recruitment. Second, Chinese seafarers driven by both supply and demand factors desire to engage fully in the global labour market. Third, Chinese seafarers are embarrassed and confused by income inequality both internationally and nationally, which is partly related to the mismanagement in its recruitment. Fourth, a lack of multi-national environments also constrains them from English improvement and professional development.

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank Drs Helen Sampson and Nic Winchester for their constructive comments, and to Tim Shelly for his help in English. The fieldwork was sponsored by the Seafarers’ International Research Centre (SIRC) and supported by the Hong Kong Marine Department.