ASIAN INSTITUTE OF MARITIME STUDIES

Asian Institute of Maritime Studies

Pasay City

Work Ethics of Seafarers and Cultural Diversity Onboard the Ship as

Perceived by Selected Filipino Seafarers

A Thesis Presented to the School of Maritime Affairs

BS in Marine Engineering – Asian Institute of Maritime Studies,
Pasay City

In Partial Fulfilment
of the Requirements for the Program
Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering

By

Ambion, Sean Aylo B.

Gallevo, Justin Bhenz A.
Montoya, Theodore Climent L.
Pablo, Manroe Gerald U.

June 2021

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LIST OF FIGURES:

Figure No.

1 Theoretical Framework ………………………………………………. 6

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title ……………………………….…………………………… i
List of Figures…………………………………………………… ii
Table of Contents.………………………………………………. iii

Chapter 1. The Problem and Its Background

Introduction …………………………………………………. 1
Background of the Study …………………………………. 3
Statement of the Problem ………………………………… 5
Theoretical Framework ……………………………….... 6
Significance of Study ………………………………………... 7
Scope and the Limitations…………....……………………... 8
Definition of Terms ……………………………………….... 9

Chapter 2. Review of Related Literature

Legal Bases ………………………………………………… 11

Local Literature ………………………………………………. 13
Foreign Literature ……………………………………………. 15
Local Studies…………………………………………………. 17
Foreign Studies ……………………………………………… 20
Justification of the Study …………………………………. 23

Chapter 3. Methodology

Research Design……………………………………………. 25
Research Locale…………………………………………… 25
Research Subjects…………………………………………… 26
Research Instrument ………………………………………. 26
Validation of Instrument……………………………………… 28
Data Gathering Procedure………………………………… 28

References ………………………………………………… 29

Appendices

Appendix A- Letter of Request for Validations…………… 33

Appendix B- Letter of Request for Interview……………… 34
Appendix C- Interview Questions ……………………........ 35

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CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

The diminishing number of seafarers from major ship owner nations such as

Europe, the United States, and Japan is one of the factors driving ship owners and

employers to staff their ships with personnel of diverse nationalities. These issues

piqued the researcher’s interest, prompting to conduct this research. Cultural variety

causes misunderstanding, communication barriers, alienation, and prejudice owing

to unavoidable variations in race, culture, and religion. When these issues are not

addressed, they might lead to significant problems on board.

In this regard, the human aspect should be prioritized in order to harmonize

working circumstances in multicultural or culturally diverse workplaces. They should

collaborate professionally and socially regardless of where they are from or what

culture they have.

Preferably, to be at sea is an expression of passion. Being a Filipino overseas

seafarer entails having a deep compassion or concern for family members back in

the Philippines, as well as for the families. The main reason for leaving appears to

improve the family's financial situation (Lamvick, 2012).

Longings and adjustments are amplified for cruise line crew because the ship

represents an entire environment that is impossible to control, and thus there are

few great opportunities to add personal touches to the new living space. Frequently,

crew are working and living in environments that are vastly different from their own

(Bardelle and Lashley, 2015).

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According to the chairman of the International Mariners Management

Association of Japan (IMMAJ), Filipino seafarers are the first choice of

Philippine1Japanese ship managers and owners. Filipinos account for one-third of

the worlds’ seafarers. As per the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA),

266,533 Filipino seafarers were deployed around the world in 2007. More than

50,000 Filipino seafarers are employed on Japan's 3,000 merchant ships. This

appears to mean that Filipinos make up approximately 65 percent of Japan's

maritime personnel (MarineBuzz, 2011).

Multiculturalism is a term used to describe the presence of Crews on board

with no universal understanding or cultural barriers may face a high risk of workplace

environment on ships (Theotokas and Progoulake, 2007).

Furthermore, being a seafarer are among the most dangerous jobs in the

world. A large number of Filipino people who take this type of work are experiencing

issues that will have a long-term impact on their careers (Prisno III, 2011).

Maritime Industry is one of the most growing industry in the world. People

take this profession due to its rank-based salary in which their compensation is what

they value the most. Seafaring is also considered as one of the most difficult and

dangerous job considering the fact that your life depends on the waves of the ocean.

Every day, seafarers need to deal with the feeling of isolation that the vast sea

bestowed upon them. The journey will last a few days or even months, and all

seafarers will be able to see is an endless sea of blue from the sky and the ocean.

Homesickness is the number one enemy of any seafarer, regardless of race; it is the

leading cause of depression, which has an impact on their work.

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Nonetheless, Filipino Seafarers are well known as being hard worker and

their flexibility to use the universal language which is English. Being flexible on using

the universal language, which is English is what Filipino Seafarer is known for, and

being an industrious one is the characteristic our fellowmen amplify onboard. Filipino

seafarers can cope easily in changes, since they are easier to approach than the

other races that’s why they can make friends smoothly. This study seeks to answer

the question, How do Filipino seafarers deal with the challenges of cultural diversity?

The researcher also desires to disseminate the information gathered about the said

topic to other maritime students, seafarers, aspiring maritime students, and future

researchers.

Background of the Study

Living in a society with behavioral norms and social values different from

those of the outside world is such a burden for those people who does not know how

to cope with the changes. Being a seafarer is not just a job, it is a way of life since

seafarers considered the ship as their home and workplace for the period of their

occupational activity. Moreover, they endure a very stressful work environment and

fatigue such as physiological changes. Accumulating stress and fatigue could affect

one's health which will eventually affect others also. Aside from stress and fatigue, a

seafarer encounters frustration due to separation from the family specifically younger

age group of about 19-45 years old which pushes them to leave the seafaring career

within the next few years (Kim and Jang, 2018).

Nonetheless, Seafaring is an interesting and rewarding occupation which

economically attracted many Filipinos both men and women because of its benefits;

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good wages, can save a lot for future, can travel for free, and meet different people

with different nationality. However, Maritime industry practices a multinational and

multicultural crewing discipline where in seafarers are required to be working and

socializing with different people in order to have a good relationship with other

people. The behavior is one of the fundamental means and aside from having a

good behavior, work ethics is the key for a good communication on board ship.

Our modern world is becoming increasingly diverse and multicultural, which

had sparked a great deal of innovation and new ideas. This is especially true in

today's workplace, where people from all walks of life come together to pursue

careers and common goals. However, in the absence of mutual respect in the

workplace, cultural barriers can stymie harmonious operations and productivity

(NYC, 2018).

Ethics are the socially accepted rules of personal behavior. In general, ethics

refers to a "code of conduct." With positive behaviors and attitudes, our personal

values contribute to the strength of our ethics. A person who is ethical is a good

citizen at home, at school or work, and in the community. In workplace, Work ethic is

a set of values based on hard work and discipline. It has an impact on how you

handle responsibilities and how seriously you take your work. You are motivated and

ready to be professional in the workplace if you have a good work ethic (PCI, 2014).

Furthermore, ethics is a well-founded moral standard that prescribe what

humans should do, usually in terms of rights, obligations, societal benefits, fairness,

or specific virtues (Velasquez et. al, 2010). From our personal lives to our

professional careers, and beyond, ethics has an impact on the decisions we make

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and the actions we take. We are all members of a global community that is

inextricably linked. Our contributions to the common good, large or small, can have a

long-term impact.

The main objective of the research entitled Work Ethics of Seafarers and

Cultural Diversity Onboard the Ship as Perceived by Selected Filipino Seafarers is to

understand the significant differences in the work ethics of seafarers when they are

grouped according to their culture; and to identify the best approach for Filipino

seafarers in terms of ethics toward other crew of different nationality and culture. In

addition, the researchers also want to disseminate the knowledge gleaned from the

said study to fellow maritime students, seafarers, prospective maritime students, and

prospective researchers.

Statement of the Problem

Generally, this study is intended to determine the Work Ethics of Seafarers

and Cultural Diversity Onboard the Ship as Perceived by Selected Filipino

Seafarers.

Specially, it aims to answer the following questions:

1. What is the profile of the respondents in terms of:

1.1 Age;

1.2 Gender;

1.3 Religion; and

1.4 Years of Vessel Experience?

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2. What are the differences in culture of seafarers onboard the ship?

3. What are the work ethics exhibited by seafarers onboard the ship?

4. How do Filipino seafarers cope with the challenges brought by the differences in

culture onboard the ship?

Theoretical Framework

The figure below will allow a research process that will guide this study. This

study will use the Social Cognitive Theory.

Figure 1: Social Cognitive Theory

The focus of the study is to identify the work ethics and cultural diversity of

Filipino seafarer onboard ship. After determining these variables, coping styles will

also be determined to have better working performance onboard ship and will also

be determined to have better working performance onboard ship. With that,

seafarers will also be able to embrace cultural diversity onboard.

Social cognitive theory is another theory that seeks to explain how diversity

can result in negative outcomes in a group or organization. Social cognitive theory

suggests that people use categorization to simplify and cope with large amounts of

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information. These categories allow us to compartmentalize data quickly and easily,

and people are often categorized by their visible characteristics, such as race, sex,

and age. Thus, when someone sees a person of a particular race, automatic

processing occurs and beliefs about this particular race are activated. Even when

the person is not visible, he or she can be subject to this automatic categorization.

Stereotypes are related to this categorization and refer to the overgeneralization of

characteristics about large groups. Stereotypes are the basis for prejudice and

discrimination. In a job-related context, using categorization and stereotyping in

employment decision-making is often illegal. Whether illegal or not, this approach is

inconsistent with a valuing-diversity approach.

Significance of the Study

This study therefore is deemed significant to the Maritime Filipino Seafarer,

Maritime Students, Maritime Professors/Instructors, Aspiring Maritime students, and

Future researcher.

The result and findings of this study may benefit the following:

Filipino seafarer. With this paper, it will help them in dealing with different

people from different cultures in order to know the proper moral in

communicating with others.

Maritime Students. This research may serve as a guide and a reference for

them. They will be mindful of proper behavior when dealing with different

people from different cultures.

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Future researcher. This study will serve as their basis and comparison to

their future study. This will be useful reference for the researchers who want

to conduct a study like this.

Maritime Professor/Instructor. It will aid them in their discussions and can

relate the topic in their lesson.

Aspiring maritime student. This study will help those aspiring students to

know the ways or best approach when it comes to the maritime industry. This

will be a reference to enlightening their knowledge, especially interacting with

those people that are different from your culture. This study will aid those

people who are interested in working in the maritime industry in how they deal

with these certain issues.

This study can give or enlighten everyone's knowledge about how Filipino

seafarers deal with certain issues in the maritime industry.

Scope and Limitations

This study is primarily focused on how a Filipino Seafarer cope with the

challenges brought by cultural diversity. The researchers aim to identify what is the

best approach of a Filipino Seafarer towards other crew that have different culture

regardless of the rank in terms of work ethics. The researcher will select twenty (20)

Filipino seafarer who works internationally that is close to the researcher’s home to

be their respondents. The researchers chose this topic for the very reason that they

want to know what a life of a Filipino Seafarer is especially on their work ethics to

determine what coping strategies will be established in order to help improve

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working performance onboard ship and Seafarers will be able to embrace cultural

variety onboard as a result of this. This study will be carried out during the months of

__________ and __________ of 2021.

Definition of Terms

For the purpose of clarity and understanding of the terms used in the study, the

following words were conceptually and operationally defined:

Cruise Line - A cruise line is a corporation that runs cruise ships on the ocean

and sells cruises to the general public. It is a company made up of crew ships

that transport passengers from A to B.

International Mariners Management Association of Japan (IMMAJ) - It is a

Japanese company that primarily deals with passenger and crew ship

transportation.

Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) - It is a government

agency that handles the employment of job for the Filipino workers and also

provide protection law related.

Merchant Ships - It is a type of ship that transport cargo container or

passengers for hire.

Multiculturalism – It refers to a group of people from different country that each

has different culture.

Multinational - It refers to the number of people made up of or involving several

countries or individuals of various nationalities.

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Filipino Seafarer - It specifically refers to "sea-based migrant Filipino workers"

who are "overseas Filipinos" with the job of sailing by sea.

Cultural Diversity - It refers to a group of people in a society that have different

culture.

Work Ethics – It refers to the ability to uphold proper moral values in the

workplace. It is an attitude that shapes how an individual performs job duties

while maintaining high moral standards.

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CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter presents a variety of literatures and research, both foreign and

local, that were identified in order to provide a broader perspective on the research.

Additional information was obtained by the researchers through the use of literature,

research journals, publications, and studies about Work Ethics of Seafarers and

Cultural Diversity Onboard the Ship as Perceived by Selected Filipino Seafarers.

Legal Basis

Cultural differences should never be used to separate people; rather, cultural

variety creates a collective power that may benefit mankind as a whole.

Furthermore, intercultural discussion is also the most successful technique for

promoting a more peaceful, egalitarian, and sustainable world. However, human

culture is an inescapable result of how individuals learn to behave. Culture includes,

among other things, knowledge of how to exploit one's environment and values

about what is significant. According to the UNESCO Universal Declaration on

Cultural Diversity section one (1), Culture manifests itself in a variety of ways

throughout time and location. The uniqueness and multiplicity of the identities of the

communities and cultures that comprise humanity exemplify this variety. Cultural

variety is as important to humanity as biodiversity is to nature as a source of

interchange, innovation, and creativity. Throughout this perspective, it is humanity's

shared history, and it should be acknowledged and affirmed for the benefit of current

and future generations. In short, cultural variety arises inexorably as a result of

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cultural transmission. This happens when people of the same culture and subculture

share a substantial percent of their knowledge.

Moreover, the universal human rights emerge with enough elasticity to value

and protect cultural distinctiveness and purity. The establishment of fundamental

criteria, as well as the inclusion of cultural rights, permits human rights to be flexible

enough to be relevant to a wide range of cultures. Section four (4) of the UNESCO

Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity state that, Cultural diversity defense is an

ethical obligation that is intrinsically tied to human dignity. It comprises a

commitment to human rights and basic freedoms, notably minorities' and indigenous

peoples' rights. No one may utilize cultural diversity to violate or limit the scope of

international law-protected human rights. In fact, cultural diversity complicates

ethical behavior management because cultures differ in their definitions of what

constitutes ethical conduct. When conducting cross-cultural business, cultural

differences are very essential.

Furthermore, Human values are far from universal and vary widely depending

on cultural perspective. Republic Act No. 6713 also known as Code of Conduct and

Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees is an act that establishes a

code of professional and ethical conduct for public officials and employees in order

to uphold the moment principle that public office is a public trust, grants rewards and

incentives for exemplary service, enumerates prohibited acts and transactions, and

provides penalties for violations thereof, among other things. This policy was created

to defend the rights of others, particularly the poor and underprivileged who wish to

get services from those who exhibit deplorable and uncivilized behavior.

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A code of ethics is a body of principles meant to guide professionals in acting

in an honest and useful manner to all parties concerned. It establishes a set of

norms or standards that all members of the profession must follow. It establishes the

profession's best practices, and it serves as a foundation for meeting the

profession's compliance standards. Moreover, it establishes a legal framework for

the profession. As stated on Republic Act No. 6713 section 2A (b), Public officials

and employees are expected to perform and fulfill their jobs with the utmost quality,

professionalism, intellect, and competence. They must enter public service with zeal

and dedication to responsibility. They must work hard to dispel misconceptions

about their responsibilities as dispensers or peddlers of unwarranted favors.

To conclude, employees must be accountable to the people at all times and

must fulfill their tasks with the highest responsibility, honesty, competence, and

loyalty, behave with patriotism and justice, live modestly, and prioritize public interest

above personal interest. The UNESCO declaration of cultural diversity and Republic

Act No. 6713 would support seafarers in embodying human rights and are

vehemently opposed to discrimination based on race, color, gender, religion, age,

nationality, sexual orientation, or political affiliation, and especially anti-discrimination

on board ship.

Local Literature

In seafaring, there is overlap between life and work and the ship is insulated

from the larger community, life aboard the ship may be compared to living within a

whole institution. Shipboard life is characterized by a highly regimented working

culture. Nonetheless, equality in the workplace brings out the best in all of its

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employees. This, in turn, enhances cooperation and provides value to the jobs they

do as well as the communities in which they operate. However, Collimore (2018)

stated on his article, “Many times, people are unaware that their statements or

behaviors may be deemed discriminatory. Most companies would even declare that

their organization has a culture of equality and inclusion. As a result, it is critical to

consider all critical components of equality to ensure that appropriate actions are

made to prevent prejudice in the workplace.”

Ideally, the Filipino seaman is responsible, hardworking, industrious, and

dependable. When interacting with foreigners and persons of higher social status,

Filipinos are highly fond of circumlocution and courteous indirections. The continual

use of the progressive form in their discourse is a sort of circumlocution or, at the

very least, courteous indirection (Andres, 2016).

Furthermore, understanding of an organization's work culture is a useful

starting point for orienting a new employee on the values and work standards that

are expected of him from the start of his career with the firm. The superior is

responsible for informing his new employees about the work culture and job

expectations. Developing a connection with the new employees can assist to

alleviate any mistrust between the two parties on job expectations and the do’s and

don'ts. As per Martin (2014) stated on his article, the effects of cultural diversity in

the workplace can be both positive and negative. Some of the negative

consequences include unhealthy confrontations, reduced productivity, and trouble

achieving harmony in group situations. On the other side, positive outcomes include

a solid knowledge foundation developed via a range of cultural experiences, an in-

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house resource of cultural trainers and informers, and a stronger proclivity to extend

the firm into other countries for more cultural understanding.

In addition, it is becoming more usual to see seafarers from various

nationalities working together. Yet, the worldwide presence of Filipino seafarers

must be understood in the context of history, which includes the migratory patterns

that have characterized Filipino society and served to establish movement and

working overseas as an acceptable part of life. According to Anchustegui (2011),

“Filipino seafarers are often regarded as the best and most sought-after in the

worldwide maritime sector. They are in high demand to crew ships at sea, ranging

from luxury cruise ships to massive tanks. As a result, the Philippines has become

the world's greatest supply of seafarers, making it the world's manpower capital.”

Foreign Literature

The maritime sector employs a multinational and multicultural crewing

discipline in which seafarers are needed to work and socialize with a variety of

individuals with different culture in order to maintain excellent relationships with

others. Aside from having a decent demeanor, work ethics is the key to excellent

communication on board ship. According to Amundsen (2017), “Cultural heritage

influences many aspects of daily living, from work ethic to relations with others. As a

filter, culture has a role. It alters behavior and views. It is vital to remember,

however, that culture merely impacts conduct. It is not an absolute, and it does not

dictate how a person will act or behave in every circumstance.” Nonetheless,

multiculturalism is a word used to characterize the presence of crews on board ship

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who may face a high risk of workplace environment aboard ships due to a lack of

universal understanding or cultural boundaries.

Furthermore, the socially accepted principles of personal behavior are

referred to as ethics. Ethics, in general, refers to a "code of conduct." Our personal

values add to the strength of our ethics through positive behaviors and attitudes. In

workplace, Work ethic is a set of values based on hard work and discipline. It has an

impact on how tasks are managed and how seriously work is taken. Work ethics is a

more descriptive view of ethics that refers to the effort people put into recognizing

morally salient features of circumstances, developing themselves as excellent

practitioners, determining the best course of action, and defending who they are and

what they have done (Banks, 2016). Above all, ethics impacts decisions and actions

in many aspects of life, from personal lives to professional careers and beyond.

Seafarers are all intricately related members of a global community. Seafarers tiny

or huge contributions to the common good can have a long-term influence.

Unfortunately, it is hard to foresee whether interactions between people from

different cultures would be contentious or cordial. That is not due to specific cultural

differences among those involved; rather, it is due to a far more complex interplay

between cultural differences, the context of the occurrence, and how individuals

involved interact. Social workers recognize how variety and diversity describe and

characterize the human experience, and they play a crucial role in identity formation.

The dimensions of diversity are characterized as the intersections of several

variables such as age, class, color culture, handicap and ability, gender, political

stance, race, religion, sexual orientation, and tribal sovereignty. However, in order to

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work effectively and sensitively with the aforementioned and other diverse groups,

social workers must recognize the complexities of culture as well as the multiple

dimensions of identity that contribute to one's understanding of the role of culture in

human behavior in the social environment (Sue, D.W., et. al, 2016).

However, increasing cultural awareness, or understanding of various cultures,

should enable everyone to develop more meaningful connections with people from

different backgrounds. It's all about establishing empathy and consideration for

others while still appreciating differences and similarities, especially onboard ship.

According to Progoulaki (2011) “Mixed-nationality crew were never a new

phenomena, but it became a "hot" subject when mixed-nationality crew have been

purposefully formed. Multicultural human resources need to be allocated in a socially

appropriate manner, which necessitates socially acceptable behavior toward

seagoing labor from all industrial players.”

In addition, according to Gambrill (2011), “All professions use ethical and

associated ideals to define and advance their career. In fact, Ethics genuinely

contributes to the definition of a profession by explicitly defining what ethical

practitioners do and do not do in their employment.”

Local Studies

Maritime English is a catch-all term for the English language being spoken by

by seafarers at sea and in port, as well as those employed in the maritime and

shipbuilding sectors. Furthermore, maritime English is essential to be an effective

seafarer because it is the number one source of information. Filipino seaman are

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more familiar with the said language because in the Philippines English is the

second language that they are using. According to Dacwag (2018), Maritime English

is imaginatively and distinctively shows communicative behaviors that enable

seafarer interlocutors to successfully and effectively transmit and receive critical

information to protect the safety of people, the vessel, and the environment. That’s

why foreign shipping companies are known to prefer Filipino sailors with comparable

characteristics such as commitment and discipline, industry, flexibility, loyalty,

English language competence, adaptability, excellent work attitude, law-abiding, and

problem-solving abilities.

Nonetheless, everybody knows that sailing is nothing new to us Filipinos.

Even before Filipinos are sailing the sea, Filipinos would go to other countries to

barter. Filipinos are still quite competitive in the seafaring industry. Filipinos are

apprehensive about sailing since the Philippines account for 25% of the world's

seafarers. Water has always been an important aspect of Philippine culture and

civilization. Filipinos had learnt to master the archipelago's surrounding oceans.

Skilled in boat-building and nautical navigation, they have been a dominant influence

in global trade and commerce since the colonial period and continue to be so today

(Abbang, 2014).

Moreover, several occupational dangers are associated with seafaring,

including accidents and maritime disasters, piracy, limited treatment options for

CVD, high levels of shipboard stress, including weariness and isolation,

communicable infections, and exposure to toxic chemicals. According to Bendicio

(2014) “common health problems experienced by seafarers” by means of describing

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the seafarers’ most common mentioned health problem. For instance, one of the

mentioned problems originated with sexual and unsafe sexual relationships of

seafarers, namely, sexually transmitted infections such as herpes and gonorrhea,

due to sex trade practices among seafarers, and socio-psychological factors like

homesickness or boredom. Some Filipino, in order for them to release stress is by

having intercourse with stranger people they met on their journey, with that

instances the stake of them having STD’s are high specially if they didn’t practice

protective sex.

Furthermore, everyone knows that the life of an OFW is difficult, but people

have no concept how difficult it is unless they put ourselves in their shoes. Being a

seafarer is all about earning a lot of money, but it also comes with a lot of

responsibility because seafarer’s life is always on the line. They must be

emotionally, physically, and spiritually prepared in order to think rationally in the

event of an accident. Moreover, life as a seafarer has grown increasingly chaotic,

difficult, and tedious as more strict maritime laws are implemented each year.

Increased paperwork, improved training rules, new standards, and stringent safety

and environmental requirements have made sailors' lives on board ships

exceedingly stressful. According to Barranta (2012), remarked on his study that from

the above-described scenarios, it becomes apparent that a seafarer’s emotional

intelligence and personality have to be strong enough to be able to hurdle the

difficulties of work and life aboard the ship.

Moreover, Filipino employees are valued and sought after by numerous

maritime employers due to their courteous and polite demeanor toward their

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superiors. Perseverance is another trait shared by Filipino seafarers. Filipino

seafarers, primarily from the Ilonggo and Bisaya-speaking parts of Visayas and

Mindanao, make up a sizable portion of the Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) sector.

Their upbringing in their local communities, as well as their education and training,

establish their societal ideals of hierarchy, respect, work ethics, expectations

regarding effort and remuneration, and food (Amante, 2009).

Foreign Studies

Life at sea is how seafarers cope to the frantic schedule, real-time difficulties,

long tiresome working hours, living in a confined cabin for 5–6 months with restricted

internet connections, and being with the same seafarers with whom they may agree

at times or quarrel at others. Nonetheless, life at sea teaches seafarers how to be

independent while away from the comforts of home, how to value every penny they

earn onboard, how to maintain relationships with every unique individual onboard,

how to respect the cultural diversity present onboard, and most importantly, how to

be happy for several months while away from the materialistic world. According to

the study of Samson et. al (2020) entitled Harmony of the Seas?: Work, Faith, and

Religious Difference Among Multinational Migrant Workers on Board Cargo Ships,

In institutionalized and demanding environments, seafarers labor in small groups.

For several months, they share a tight space with colleagues from various nations

and faiths, day and night, and have very limited contact with their family and friends

ashore.

Ideally, it is customary for Filipino seafarers to work on board for 6 to 12

months under temporary contractual arrangements, with eight (8) to twelve (12) hour

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work days. Watchkeeping deck officers labor seven (7) days a week, week in and

week out. When their vessel is not in port, other seafarers may receive an

occasional Sunday off (Acejo, 2020).

However, being exposed to diverse cultures would undoubtedly help a

seafarer cope with the changes that will occur onboard ship. Many organizations

should recruit Filipino seafarers, particularly those operating on a global scale,

because of their capabilities, friendliness, and hard work. Filipino seafarers can be

flexible when it comes to doing their jobs, they can always bring optimism to their

surroundings, which is why people of all races like to work with a Filipino. Maritime

schools should add more curriculum that can enable prospective seafarers to

become more aware of the many cultures they will encounter onboard ship. The

ability to connect with and comprehend crewmates physically, emotionally, and

spiritually is essential to becoming a successful seafarer. Seafarers in modern ships

are frequently exposed to a multicultural atmosphere where mixed crewing is

practiced. Cultural awareness is becoming increasingly essential since it allows

smoother communication and mutual understanding among crew members,

contributing to the safe operation of ships (Momokoto, K. 2012).

Moreover, many companies favored hiring Filipinos because of their maritime

talents and, on the positive side, their English communication capabilities.

Communication is critical on board because it allows workers to understand the

situation and devise a solution. Globalization has had an impact on the sector, with

Filipinos accounting for 28% of all seafarers worldwide. Previous studies show that

Filipinos are popular because of their English proficiency and flexibility. (Nilsson, J.,

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 ASIAN INSTITUTE OF MARITIME STUDIES

& Lindren, N, 2012). In fact, Filipino seafarers are better positioned to exploit

chances in the maritime profession than their counterparts in China and Russia, for

example, because the school system in the Philippines uses English as a language

of instruction.

In addition, the maritime industry is a multinational workplace with a long and

rich history of sailing with crews of many nationalities; two-thirds of the world's

commercial marine vessels are crewed by multinational and multilingual crews.

Because of the multicultural working environment onboard ships, culturally diverse

crew members must adapt and engage socially as well as professionally (Susetyo,

D.A., 2010).

Nonetheless, considering the remuneration is in dollars, becoming a seafarer

is one of the most profitable and high-risk jobs for Filipinos. As a result, many

businesses prioritize their employees' health in order to avoid future litigation. As

Jensen, O., et. al (2006) stated on their study, Seafaring has been identified as a

high-risk vocation, and the safety and health elements of shipboard employment are

a key concern for both shipowners and seafarers.

In fact, the majority of Filipinos selected the road of sailing for financial

reasons. Filipinos are well aware that joining an overseas firm would result in much

increased revenues than working locally. Many Filipino seafarers are prepared to

sacrifice their lives so that their families can live in luxury. They are willing to go

through the agony of missing someone for 6-8 months in order to put food on the

table. Lamvik (2002) defines that, at the heart of the Filipino marine labor migration

is an exceptional aptitude and desire to withstand adversity or make sacrifices for

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 ASIAN INSTITUTE OF MARITIME STUDIES

family. Everyone shall argue that this is by far the most important and significant

incentive element for selecting a marine abroad profession in the Philippines.

Justification of the Study

The purpose of this research related literacy is to gain knowledge about the

current research relevant to a certain topic or field of study and to present that

knowledge in the form of a written report. Conducting a literature review will help the

researchers broaden their expertise in their research paper.

Gender, age, economic background, ethnicity, and other characteristics are

all influence culture. The country in which a person was born and/or raised has a

substantial influence on his or her cultural identity. A multicultural workplace, such as

one aboard a ship, employs individuals from several cultures and countries. Many

shipping firms are global enterprises, which means they employ people from all

around the world. People from various nations have obviously distinct cultural

origins, and this sort of working atmosphere offers both advantages and downsides.

This is the main reason why work ethics is so essential in the maritime industry is

because it is a set of values based on hard effort and commitment. Developing a

strong work ethic permits individuals to grow to the point where hard work becomes

essentially automatic.

Furthermore, everyone becomes conscious of other people's cultures when

they realize that they must look objectively at what is going on around them and

change their perspectives in order to accept what they previously rejected, (i.e.

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 ASIAN INSTITUTE OF MARITIME STUDIES

cultural shock) people must admit or tolerate others' conduct, opinions, customs, and

values. Cultural competency should be viewed as a time-consuming practice.

Members of various cultures living and working together may not always agree and

may become confused while attempting to solve problems since they may have

different approaches to them. Different methods, on the other hand, may be highly

important and useful when people have learned to fit in.

Researchers find out that Communication is one of the most important skills

to have when working at sea. As a future officer, be saddled with a significant

degree of duty because it is not just about having daily jobs to accomplish on a

regular basis, but also about distributing duties. Aside from that, operating at sea is

not an easy endeavor.

For this study, the researchers discovered potential solutions. The newly

discovered studies of the researcher may be able to assist Filipino seafarers in

determining what work ethics should be implemented by Filipino seafarers onboard

the ship that could help Filipino seafarers in dealing with individuals from other

cultures and in order to know the appropriate moral in speaking with others.

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 ASIAN INSTITUTE OF MARITIME STUDIES

CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

This chapter covers and examines how the researcher will collect the

essential data and information for the full investigation. It outlines who will be the

respondents and the subject of the research. This chapter also describes the data

collecting technique and the tools utilized, as well as the sort of research, research

method, and research location where the study will be conducted.

Research Design

The researcher will utilize a qualitative approach in the study's research

design. Qualitative approaches are appropriate for investigating and prosecuting

interpersonal interactions, persons and their environments, and motives that drive

individual behavior and action. The goal of this research is to assist future seafarers

and seafarers to cope with the challenges brought by the differences in culture

onboard ship in terms of work ethics. This study focuses on Filipino seamen who

trade internationally. Furthermore, this study focuses on the following questions:

What are the cultural differences of seafarers onboard the ship? What are the work

ethics exhibited by seafarers onboard the ship? How do Filipino seafarers cope with

the challenges brought by the differences in culture?

Research Local

This research study will be conducted around Metro Manila, the Philippines'

primary tourism attraction and the country's National Capital Region. The city serves

as the Philippines' commercial, educational, and entertainment hub. Despite being

the smallest territory in the nation, Metro Manila is the most populated of the

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 ASIAN INSTITUTE OF MARITIME STUDIES

Philippines' twelve declared metropolitan regions and the 11th most populated in the

world, with a population of 16.3 million people. However, due to the new system of

studying and conducting research brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, the

researcher opts to perform it at home for safety reasons.

Research Subjects

The respondents of the study will be the selected Filipino seafarers who are

still working onboard ships across the world. To be specific, the researchers will

choose the active Filipino seafarers to ensure the timeless and relevance of the data

gathered. The researcher's target number of respondents will be twenty (20) Filipino

Seafarers who will be given a questionnaire via internet through the use of Zoom

application for the virtual oral interview and the Facebook Messenger application to

contact respondents. The study will utilize the Purposive Sampling Technique. The

technique is a sort of non-probability sampling that is best successful when studying

a specific cultural domain with skilled specialists within. Due to the pandemic and

time restrictions, it was difficult for the researchers to obtain available participants;

Hence, the researchers will make use of the snowball sampling technique to easily

determine the respondents.

Research Instrument

The researcher will use an unstructured sort of questionnaire as the study's

instrument. A smartphone, tablet, or laptop will also be utilized by the researchers to

contact respondents and record their responses. The questionnaire is divided into

four sections. The first section aims to identify the respondents' demographics.

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 ASIAN INSTITUTE OF MARITIME STUDIES

Second part endeavors to identify the cultural differences of seafarers onboard the

ship. Third part refers to work ethics exhibited by seafarers onboard the ship. The

final part asked about the how do Filipino seafarers cope with the challenges

brought by the differences in culture.

The survey questionnaire contains important aspects that will be used to

determine the study's outcome. It is a form of data collection approach that is used

to collect, analyze, and interpret multiple viewpoints on a group of people from a

certain population. The researchers will conduct a survey to gather information and

data that will help to succeed to find an answer to the problem of this research study.

The guide questions in the survey questionnaire are based on the statement of the

problems of this study. The following are the instruments use for the study to

determine the instruments use to gather data and information from the respondents.

 Interview –The researchers will conduct an interview to the Filipino Seafarers

who are still working onboard ships internationally to ask for further

clarification and explanations. To be more precise, the researcher will select

active Filipino seafarers so that the data gathered reflects the most recent

experiences that they have had onboard ship. The interview is composed of

questions that are based on the study's sub-variables, and this will be the key

to answering some of the study's problems.

 Gadget – The researchers will use a smartphone, tablet, or laptop to contact

respondents and record their responses.

 Internet – Due to the pandemic outbreak the researchers will use the internet

for fast dissemination of information. The researchers will use Zoom

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 ASIAN INSTITUTE OF MARITIME STUDIES

application for the virtual oral interview and Facebook Messenger application

for contacting the respondents and disseminating letter request for

participation of respondent. Furthermore, it is also utilized to discover unusual

terms that the researchers encountered while performing a proposal study on

the day in question. It is also the most reliable source of factual information.

Validation of Instrument

To authenticate the contents of the unstructured interview questionnaire,

expertise of people knowledgeable in this field would be needed from several

academics at the Asian Institute of Maritime Studies located at Roxas Blvd. corner

Arnaiz Avenue.

Data Gathering Procedure

The researchers will first seek approval to the (higher ups) to conduct the

study. Then, to gather pertinent data, the researchers will administer virtual interview

to the respondents accompanied by a letter of request for their participation. Due to

pandemic outbreak, the researcher will be utilizing a smartphone, tablet, or laptop to

call and document the responses of the respondents through the use of the internet

via Zoom application for virtual oral interview and Facebook Messenger application

for disseminating the letter request for the participation of the respondents. The data

or information gathered throughout the method will examine and present in a

narrative format for the presentation of their responses. Narrative analysis will be

used by researchers to better understand how study participants build stories and

narratives based on their own personal experiences on board the ship. In narrative

analysis, it indicates that there is a second layer of interpretation. First, the

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 ASIAN INSTITUTE OF MARITIME STUDIES

researcher participants will be used narrative to analyze their own experiences. The

researchers will then interpret the narrative's structure.

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 ASIAN INSTITUTE OF MARITIME STUDIES

References

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Acejo (2020). The Experience of Being A Filipino Seafarer On A Multinationally
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behaviour - Ombros Consulting. AMBROS. Retrieved June 01, 2020 from
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Barranta (2012). Emotional Intelligence and Personality Traits of Filipino Seafarers
And Their Attitude Towards Work Environment. Retrieved from
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Bendicio (2014). A Phenomenological Study of Filipino Seafarers. Academia.edu.
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351104522_A_PHENOMENOLOGICAL_STUDY_OF_FILIPINO_SEAFARER
S/links/608773b68ea909241e28c63d/A-PHENOMENOLOGICAL-STUDY-OF-
FILIPINO-SEAFARERS.pdf
Bardelle, C., & Lashley, C. (2015). Pining for home: Studying crew homesickness
aboard a cruise liner. Research in Hospitality Management, 5(2), 207–214.
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Cullimore, R. (2018). Promoting the Culture of Equality and Diversity in the
Workplace. Recruitment & Search Agency - Headhunter in the Philippines.
Retrieved June 05, 2020 from https://manilarecruitment.com/manila-
recruitment-articles-advice/promoting-the-culture-of-equality-and-diversity-in-
the-workplace/

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Dacwag (2018). Communicative Behaviors of Filipino Seafarers: Toward the

Development of A Globally Responsive Maritime English Course. Retrieved
from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325401237_Communicative_Behavi
ors_of_Filipino_Seafarers_Toward_the_Development_of_a_Globally_Respon
sive_Maritime_English_Course
Gambrill, E. (2011). Social Work Ethics. Google Books. Retrieved June 05, 2020
From https://books.google.com.ph/books?
id=qAokDwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=work+ethics&hl=en&sa=X&ved
=2ahUKEwiQh_Wrhf7wAhWZc3AKHbEjCc4Q6AEwAnoECAYQAg#v=onepa
ge&q=work%20ethics&f=false
Jang, & Kim. (2018). Seafarers’ Quality of Life: Organizational Culture, Self-Efficacy,
and Perceived Fatigue. PubMed Central (PMC).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6210239/
Jensen, O., et. al, (2006). Working conditions in international seafaring. OUP
Academic. Retrieved from
https://academic.oup.com/occmed/article/56/6/393/1394182
Lamvik, (2002). The Filipino Seafarer: A Life Between Sacrifice and Shopping.
Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/272212703_The_Filipino_Seafarer_
A_Life_Between_Sacrifice_and_Shopping
LAWPHIL. (1898). R.A. 6713. Retrieved June 04, 2020 from
https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1989/ra_6713_1989.html
Lucero-Prisno III, MD, MPH (2011). The Health Issues Facing Filipino Seafarers:
Management and Governance. Retrieved from
https://www.psap-parola.org/resources/research/the-health-issues-facing-
filipino-seafarers-management-and-governance/
MarineBuzz. (2011) 14 Reasons: Why Ship Owners Prefer Filipino Seafarers and How
They Exploit Them. https://safety4sea.com/14-reasons-why-ship-owners-
prefer-filipino-seafarers-and-how-they-exploit-them/
Martin, G. C. (2014). The Effects of Cultural Diversity in The Workplace. Journal of
Diversity Management. Retrieved June 05, 2020 from
https://www.google.com/url?
sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjp
k6iUwP_wAhXMdd4KHVlzAcUQFjARegQIFBAD&url=https%3A%2F
%2Fclutejournals.com%2Findex.php%2FJDM%2Farticle%2Fdownload
%2F8974%2F8934&usg=AOvVaw3QHupZpHKNhbSacYkt0KeC
Momokoto, K. (2012). Promoting Cultural Awareness through Welfare in Maritime
Education and Training. ResearchGate. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280830212_PROMOTING_CULTU
RAL_AWARENESS_THROUGH_WELFARE_IN_MARITIME_EDUCATION_
AND_TRAINING#:~:text=In%20modern%20shipping%2C%20seafarers
%20are,the%20safe%20operation%20of%20ships.
Nilsson, J., & Lindren, N, (2012). Filipinos Sailing on the Seven Seas. Retrieved
from http://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1308309/FULLTEXT01.pdf
NYC. (2018,). Best Practices for Working with Different Cultures in the Workplace

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Office Suites. Retrieved from https://nycofficesuites.com/2018/11/best-

practices-for-working-with-different-cultures-in-the-workplace/
Porter and Chester. (2014). Importance of Good Work Ethics in School and Life
Institute. Retrieved from https://porterchester.edu/news-events/importance-
good-work-ethic-school-life
Progoulaki, M. (2011). Dealing With Multicultural Human Resources In A Socially
Responsible Manner: A Focus On The Maritime Industry. WMU Journal of
Maritime Affairs. Retrieved May 29, 2020 from
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13437-011-0003-0?
error=cookies_not_supported&code=f4a9469a-6b0d-407b-a1f4-
12440da19258
Sampson, H., et. al. (2020). Harmony of the Seas?: Work, faith, and religious
difference among multinational migrant workers on board cargo ships. Taylor
& Francis. Retrieved June 01, 2020 from
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01419870.2020.1776362
Sue, D. W., et. al (2016). Multicultural Social Work Practice. Google Books.
Retrieved June 04, 2020 from https://books.google.com.ph/books?
id=SdEbCQAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=multicultural&hl=en&sa=X&red
ir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=multicultural&f=false
Susetyo, D. A. (2010). Multinational And Multicultural Seafarers and Met Students: A
Socio-Cultural Study For Improving Maritime Safety And The Education Of
Seafarers. Retrieved June 01, 2020 from World Maritime University
Dissertation. https://commons.wmu.se/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?
article=1424&context=all_dissertations
Theotokas, I. and Progoulake M., (2007) Cultural diversity, manning strategies and
management practices in Greek shipping Maritime Policy and Management.
34 (4) pp. 383-403. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/248989125_Cultural_diversity_man
ning_strategies_and_management_practices_in_Greek_shipping
UNESCO. (2001). UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity: UNESCO.
Retrieved June 06, 2020 from http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-
URL_ID=13179&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html
Velasquez, M., et. al (2010). What is Ethics? Markkula Center for Applied Ethics.
Santa Clara University, Retrieved from https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-
resources/ethical-decision-making/what-is-ethics/

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APPENDIX A

Letter of Request for Interview Questions Validation

June 2021

Dear Sir/ Ma’am,

Good Day!

The undersigned, we, the researchers currently conducting a study entitled “Work
Ethics and Cultural Diversity of Seafarers Onboard the Ship as Perceived by
Selected Filipino Seafarers” In accordance with this, we, the researchers, would like
to seek your expertise to validate my research-constructed interview questionnaire,
which will be utilized for data collection in my study, and to assist me in aligning our
questionnaire to my research statement of the problem.

We, the researchers, optimistically looking forward for your approval.

Truly yours,

Ambion, Sean Aylo B.

Gallevo, Justin Behnz A.
Montoya, Theodore Climent L.
Pablo, Manroe Gerald U.

Noted by:

JOSE RAFAEL Y. BENITO, MA

Thesis Adviser

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 ASIAN INSTITUTE OF MARITIME STUDIES

APPENDIX B

Letter of Request for Interview

June 2021

Dear Participant, _____________________

We, the researchers, cordially welcome you to take part in a study entitled: Work
Ethics of Seafarers and Cultural Diversity Onboard the Ship as Perceived by
Selected Filipino Seafarers. We are currently enrolled in the (BSMarE) at Asian
Institute of Maritime Studies, and we are in the process of writing of our thesis. The
purpose of the research is to determine the best approach of a Filipino Seafarer
towards other crew that have different culture regardless of the rank in terms of work
ethics.

The unstructured questionnaire has been designed to collect information on the

Work Ethics of Seafarers and Cultural Diversity Onboard the Ship as Perceived by
Selected.

Your participation in this research project is completely voluntary. Your responses

will remain confidential and anonymous. Data from this research will be kept under
lock and key and reported only as a collective combined total. No one other than the
researcher will know your individual answers to this questionnaire.

If you agree to participate in this project, please answer the questions on the
questionnaire as best you can.

If you have any questions about this project, feel free to contact us. Thank you for
your assistance in this important endeavor.

Sincerely yours,

Ambion, Sean Aylo B.

Gallevo, Justin Behnz A.
Montoya, Theodore Climent L.
Pablo, Manroe Gerald U.

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 ASIAN INSTITUTE OF MARITIME STUDIES

Noted by:

JOSE RAFAEL Y. BENITO, MA

Adviser
APPENDIX C

Interview Questions

These are the researchers’ recommended research interview questions. The

researchers utilized the questions in the Statement of the Problem to construct sub-

questions that will be used during the virtual interview to achieve the study’s goal.

Similarly, based on their replies, follow-up questions would be posed.

The questions made that follows are divided into four portions.

Part I: Respondent’s Profile

The researchers will ask their name (optional), age, sex, religion, and year of vessel
experience.

Part II: Cultural Diversity

A. Language (Refers to any dialect you used to communicate)

Do you speak and understand:

English

Filipino

Others, please specify: _____________

B. Norm (Refers to your behavioral action upon work standards)

Specify the dos and don'ts and give at least one (1) when it comes to the
following:
1. Time (DTR – Daily Time Record)
2. Proper Uniform and Grooming
3. Professionalism (Behavior and Attitudes towards co-worker)

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 ASIAN INSTITUTE OF MARITIME STUDIES

4. Communication (Proper transferring of message towards co-workers)

Part III: Work ethics exhibited by seafarers onboard the ship

1. What do you think the most challenging aspect of working in a diverse working
environment is?
2. Have you ever had to handle a situation when one colleague was not accepting
of another’s diversity? How did you do this?
3. Can you give us an example of a time when you worked with or helped
somebody of a different culture/background of your own?
4. In your opinion, what is the most challenging aspect of working in a diverse
environment?
5. What is your approach to understanding the perspectives of colleagues from
different backgrounds?

Part IV: Coping-up Mechanism

What have been your coping-up actions towards cultural diversity?

A. Religion
Understanding other’s spiritual belief
Showing respect and love towards co-workers
Be sensitive when talking about religion
Look at people from other’s faiths as people, not as categories or
religion
Learn about other faiths and customs
Keep an open mind
Avoid forcing your opinion or belief upon others
Just be kind

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 ASIAN INSTITUTE OF MARITIME STUDIES

Others, please specify: ___________________________

B. Norm
Understanding other’s culture
Respect each other privacy
Learn (Make friend and talk to people)
Don’t stereotype
Appreciate the differences
Treat people equally
Others, please specify: ___________________________

C. Language
Improve your tone (when talking or approaching about problems and
action)
Relax about grammar in person-to-person communication
Use specific, specific language
Others, please specify: ___________________________

37