Photo credit: DFA/file photo
In a commentary drawing on her latest book, Stuck at Home: Pandemic Immobilities in the Nation of Emigration, SMU Associate Professor of Sociology Yasmin Y. Ortiga wrote about the often-overlooked plight of Filipino seafarers, emphasising that while they invest heavily in the Philippines—building homes, starting businesses, and supporting their families—they are frequently neglected by the very systems that benefit from their labour. Unlike other migrant workers who seek permanent settlement abroad, seafarers return home regularly, contributing not only remittances but also their presence and participation in the local economy. However, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed their vulnerability, as many lost their jobs and returned home burdened with debt and uncertainty, receiving little support or recognition. Assoc Prof Ortiga underscored the emotional and economic toll on these workers and calls for policies that go beyond celebrating remittances to genuinely supporting seafarers as integral members of the nation’s workforce and community.
