by Roderick G Galam
‘If you stayed and worked here, nothing is going to happen to you.’
These are the words of 23-year-old utility man, Anton, when speaking about his life chances in the Philippines. He feels stuck and concludes that he can find a better life elsewhere. Anton belongs to what the International Labor Organisation (ILO) describes as the ‘generation at risk’ or ‘lost generation’ – young people whose economic and social problems have been exacerbated by the Global Financial Crisis.
Low wages, persistent youth unemployment, and the general absence of real prospects to improve their lives combine to drive young Filipinos to seek work overseas. To do so, thousands of young men looking to become seafarers in the global maritime industry serve as unpaid utility men (what we might call a gofer or flunkey) in Manila’s crewing agencies. These crewing agencies recruit and supply sailors to ship operators around the world. Work as a utility man is hoped to guarantee a place on a ship.
Exploitation and abuse are rife. Despite this, the young men – who possess three or four years of education in either marine transportation or engineering – persevere. They do office and janitorial work, recruit seafarers at the informal seamen’s market along Kalaw Street, historically the location of Manila’s major crewing agencies, or perform domestic work—cooking, cleaning, washing and ironing clothes, and looking after children—for their bosses and their families.
Some become personal drivers and caretakers of properties owned by their managers. They serve for anywhere between a few months and two years (and sometimes even longer).
I spent months hanging out with utility men at the seamen’s market and lived with many of them in a dormitory. They spoke of the abuse they endured. They are routinely subjected to ‘shaming,’ described by Michael, 22, as ‘a tongue lashing of the worst kind.’ They get punished for the slightest mistake. As Ben, 21, said: ‘You get hit on the head, you get slapped, you get kicked.’ Another 21-year-old, Glenn, told me: ‘My boss hit me on the head with a ruler so hard it broke.’ Another said ‘they treat us badly… they should be thanking us. We save them a lot of money. They don’t have to hire and pay staff to do the job we do.’
Crewing agencies don’t appreciate the utility men’s time and efforts. Roger, 24, who drove his crewing manager and fellow utility men to the seamen’s market, was dismissed when he was found dozing off in the vehicle. He begged for ‘forgiveness,’ stopping short of kneeling, to no avail. It took him several months to find another agency to work for.
Rafael, 24, who had already worked as a utility man for three months and was due to board his ship soon, said that his service was extended for another six months for the ‘crime’ of pressing all the floor numbers of their building’s lift. His manager, who got on just as Rafael got out, was furious after having to stop at every floor because of Rafael’s action.
Utility men’s time being wasted by crewing agencies mark their insignificance. The agencies behave with impunity, and utility men accept these punishments with impotent rage. As Gary, 22, said: ‘They make us feel very small, like we are nothing and worthless, that we are there because we are desperate for a job, and we would do anything for it.’ The utility men set aside their mistreatment and focus on the role made possible for them. Their persistence shows strategic calculation.
Because they are doing something, they became hopeful. The utility men I observed saw their jobs as a ticket to a bright future. By transforming servitude into the ability to act, they shape both their present and future. Such a conclusion may seem controversial, but rationality underpins utility men’s decision to endure servitude. Rationality relates to the justification they mount to make it sensible, a source of coherence and direction, rather than internal crisis. Rationality accounts for the bargains they make with their servitude to change the course of their lives.
Philippine maritime schools churn out more than 10,000 graduates annually. With few job opportunities, thousands work for free for crewing agencies. Utility men deserve to be treated better. They suggest two measures to do so. First, cap the length of service to a maximum of six months. Second, pay them a minimum daily allowance of 150 pesos (about US 4 dollars). Better regulation of crewing agencies, which have variable practices, is also necessary.
Those responsible in government and industry need to act. Taking the utility men’s suggestions seriously would be a good start.
Roderick Galam is a Research Associate at the Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology, Free University of Berlin. His current project, “Working for Work”, is funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG/German Research Foundation). This essay first appeared in New Mandala (http://www.newmandala.org/no-smooth-sailing/) and has been edited for publication in The MARE Report.
