^

News Commentary

POEA eyes female seafarers

- Mayen Jaymalin -

MANILA, Philippines - If there are seamen, why can’t there be seawomen?        

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) is encouraging women to explore employment opportunities in the maritime industry to fill manpower needs in the male-dominated field.                                 

“Our female workers should try it because the prospect is really bright. There are thousands of vacancies in the maritime industry,” said POEA chief Carlos Cao Jr.             

He said many foreign vessels are in dire need of manpower but they could not immediately fill up the vacancies because of shortage of qualified workers.                                             

 Ericson Marquez, an official of the Filipino Association for Mariners Employment Inc. (FAME) said there are 43,000 job vacancies available for Filipino seafarers in the next three years.                                                                    

Marquez said the global maritime industry has been growing aggressively but has been suffering from manpower shortage, particularly in officer positions.                                                

  In 2005, the global maritime industry needed 20,000 workers. Demand went up to 33,000 in 2008 and is expected to rise to 43,000 by 2013.                                                 

 Marquez said the private maritime industry is coordinating with the government to corner 50 percent of the job vacancies for maritime crew and officers worldwide.            

 He said that despite having a small number in the industry, women seafarers have been proven to be very qualified workers.                                                                                    

    “They are very good. In fact, one woman seafarer is now working as a chief engineer, one of the highest positions in the industry,” he said.

vuukle comment

CARLOS CAO JR.

ERICSON MARQUEZ

FILIPINO ASSOCIATION

INDUSTRY

MARINERS EMPLOYMENT INC

MARITIME

MARQUEZ

PHILIPPINE OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT ADMINISTRATION

VACANCIES

WORKERS

  • Latest
Latest
Latest
abtest
Are you sure you want to log out?
X
Login

Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!

Get Updated:

Signup for the News Round now

FORGOT PASSWORD?
SIGN IN
or sign in with