THE past few years have seen a huge influx of Filipinos into Scotland's fishing industry, as a shortage of local labour forces skippers to look overseas for crews.

The Scotsman 02/08/2008

As many as 700 Filipinos are estimated to be crewing UK fishing boats, with the relatively cheap labour proving an attractive option for boat owners facing declining stocks and rising fuel costs.

John West, the harbour master at Macduff, a few miles along the coast from Fraserburgh, said Filipinos were a common sight on the boats.

"I would say the majority have Filipinos on board. It isn't just in the North-east. There is a boat from the south-west of Scotland in the harbour which has Filipinos aboard," he said.

Coming from an archipelago of around 7,000 islands, thousands of Filipinos are working overseas in the fishing and shipping industries, sending home valuable foreign currency that is helping to keep a troubled economy afloat.

In the UK, while some are said to be paid as little as £270 a month, the more experienced Filipino fishermen earn around £620. The trawlers also pay them a "catch bonus" depending on the amount of fish they land, as well as return flights home and board and lodging on the boats.

Most of the labour used in Scotland is supplied by a Philippines-based agency, Super Manning, which arranges fixed ten-month contracts with fishing vessels.

A company spokesman last night told The Scotsman all the contracts were vetted by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, which ensured boats were seaworthy.

The representative expressed shock and sadness when informed of yesterday's tragedy.

"We provide so many crew members in that area (the UK]. We are not the only agency but I think we provide most of them. I just hope they are not our people," he said. "Many Filipinos have grown up with fishing. Their fathers were fishermen. It is their life.

"The overseas Filipino workers earn much more abroad than they would at home. They are the backbone of the economy. The workers keep the country running. It's not only in Scotland but all over the world, especially in the Middle East."

It is not only their own economy that the overseas workers are benefiting. Fishing has become a less attractive option for many young people brought up in coastal communities as the financial rewards have failed to keep pace with those offered in a growing number of alternative careers.

Skippers initially filled the gap with eastern Europeans. While they are still relied upon, more are said to be returning home as their own economies pick up.

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