Review and Analysis of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Policies and Procedures in Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) For the Protection of Female Seafarers

Authors

  • Geoffrey Abella PMMA GS

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11594/ijmaber.06.09.08

Keywords:

Anti-sexual harassment, NYK, Magna Carta, Female Seafarers, Policy and Protection

Abstract

This study reviewed and analyzed the anti-sexual harassment policies and procedures of NYK-Fil Ship Management, focusing on the protection of female seafarers. Using a mixed-methods design, the research gathered quantitative data from a descriptive survey and qualitative insights from interviews with NYK-Fil office personnel and representatives from other manning agencies. Findings revealed that awareness of anti-sexual harassment policies among NYK-Fil seafarers is high, with no significant differences across age, rank, or experience. However, the interviews pointed out ongoing challenges, including fear of retaliation, cultural issues onboard, and gaps in leadership accountability. While NYK-Fil’s policies align with the requirements of Republic Act 12021 (Magna Carta for Seafarers), the study highlighted areas for improvement, including clearer communication, inclusive policy enhancements, and stronger leadership accountability. The findings suggest that awareness alone is insufficient; lasting protection depends on consistent enforcement and cultural transformation within the industry to fully protect all seafarers.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Aalberg, A. L., Karlsen, T. I., & Overgard, K. I. (2024). Seafarers' trust in ship automa-tion, Effects of age and experience. WMU Journal of Maritime Affairs. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13437-024-00329-6

Ahmed, N., Ahmed, E., & Ismail, Z. (2023). Or-ganizational excellence and its relation to human resources management as per-cieved by academic teaching staff. Benha Journal of Applied Sciences, 0(0), 0-0. https://doi.org/10.21608/bjas.2023.191858.1055

Aldarmaki, S. and Kamarul, B. (2022). Meas-urements of organizational excellence – development of holistic excellence prac-tices for free zones in dubai. European Journal of Economics and Business Stud-ies, 8(1), 33. https://doi.org/10.26417/387zyw82

Bostrom, M., & Osterman, C. (2022). Creating clarity and crew courage: Preventive and promotive measures for a maritime industry without bullying and harassment. Occupational Health Science, 6(4), 605–629. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41542-022-00129-5

Bull, A., Calvert-Lee, G., & Page, T. (2020). Discrimination in the complaints process: Introducing the sector guidance to address staff sexual misconduct in UK higher education. Perspectives Policy and Practice in Higher Education, 25(2), 72–77. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603108.2020.1823512

Caesar, L. (2023). Emerging dynamics of train-ing, recruiting and retaining a sustainable maritime workforce: a skill resilience framework. Sustainability, 16(1), 239. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16010239

Choudhury, M. and Haque, C. (2024). Disaster management policy changes in bangla-desh: drivers and factors of a shift from reactive to proactive approach. Envi-ronmental Policy and Governance, 34(5), 445-462. https://doi.org/10.1002/eet.2094

Clarke, H. M. (2020). Organizational failure to ethically manage sexual harassment: Limits to #metoo. Business Ethics: A European Review, 29(3), 544–556.

Grimett, L. (2024). The Status of Women within the Maritime Sector. American Journal of Industrial and Business Management, 14(01), 1–35. https://doi.org/10.4236/ajibm.2024.141001

International Labour Organization. (2006). Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006). Geneva: International Labour Office. Retrieved from https://www.ilo.org/mlc

International Labour Organization. (2019). Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190). Geneva: International Labour Office. Retrieved from https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/violence-harassment/lang--en/index.htm

Jenner, S., Djermester, P., & Oertelt‐Prigione, S. (2020). Prevention strategies for sexual harassment in academic medicine: a qual-itative study. Journal of Interpersonal Vi-olence, 37(5-6), NP2490-NP2515. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260520903130

Jenner, S., Djermester, P., & Oertelt‐Prigione, S. (2020). Prevention strategies for sexual harassment in academic medicine: a qual-itative study. Journal of Interpersonal Vi-olence, 37(5-6), NP2490-NP2515. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260520903130

Jung, G., Uhm, D., & Choi, Y. (2024). Sexual har-assment experience, coping, and aware-ness among nurses working in small- and medium-sized hospitals in south korea. Sage Open Nursing, 10. https://doi.org/10.1177/23779608241281129

Kannegiser, S. and Hunter, J. (2024). Sexual harassment on chat reference: preva-lence, impact, and the role of organiza-tions. College & Research Libraries, 85(2). https://doi.org/10.5860/crl.85.2.267

Kessler, A., Kennair, L., Grøntvedt, T., & Bendix-en, M. (2023). The influence of prototypi-cal #metoo features on the perception of workplace sexual harassment across gen-der identity and sexual orientation (lgbtq +). Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 21(4), 1500-1514. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-023-00850-y

Kitada, M. (2022). Gender and work within the maritime sector. In Transport and Sustainability (pp. 229–248). https://doi.org/10.1108/s2044-994120220000016015

Kraemer, T. (2024). The seafarer perspective in social sustainability reporting: Do sustainability reports of leading European container shipping companies reflect the social issues of seafarers? Theseus. https://www.theseus.fi/handle/10024/858832

Lee, J., Dhesi, S., Phillips, I., Jeong, M., & Lee, C. (2021). Korean maritime cadets’ onboard training environment survey. Sustainability, 13(8), 4161. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084161

Leseth, A. (2023). Making the ship work: An ethnography of maritime labour in global shipping. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/11250/3068864

Li, Y. and He, C. (2021). Board diversity and corporate innovation: evidence from chi-nese listed firms. International Journal of Finance & Economics, 28(1), 1092-1115. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijfe.2465

Lipsky, M. (1980). Street Level Bureaucracy: Dilemmas of the Individual in Public Ser-vices. Russell Sage Foundation. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7758/9781610447713

Lyu, W., & Li, L. (2023). Sailing into rough seas: The difficulties and challenges Chinese women seafarers face. Marine Policy, 160, 105955. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2023.105955

Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA). (2024). Advisory on the inclusion of Anti-Sexual Harassment training under the Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (PSSR) module of Basic Training. Maritime Industry Authority, Republic of the Philippines. https://www.marina.gov.ph

Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006). Retrieved from https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:55:0::NO::P55_TYPE,P55_LANG,P55_DOCUMENT,P55_NODE:REV,en,C186,/Document

Mata, Á., Azevedo, K., Braga, L., Medeiros, G., Segundo, V., Bezerra, I., … & Piuvezam, G. (2019). Training programs in communi-cation skills to improve self-efficacy for health personnel. Medicine, 98(33), e16697. https://doi.org/10.1097/md.0000000000016697

McCarthy, C. (2023, April 28). Gender equality is a maritime issue: Examining structural and social barriers to closing the gender gap in the maritime industry. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12648/8635

McCarty, K. R. (2022). The unsolved issue of sexual assault and harassment against female workers in the maritime industry. Tul. Mar. LJ, 46, 189.

McLester, Q., Burrell, D., Nobles, C., & Castillo, I. (2021). Advancing knowledge about sex-ual harassment is a critical aspect of or-ganizational development for all employ-ees. International Journal of Knowledge-Based Organizations, 11(4), 48-60. https://doi.org/10.4018/ijkbo.2021100104

Mohammed, A., Ansah, E., & Apaak, D. (2023). Sexual harassment as experienced by nurses from selected healthcare facilities in ghana. BMC Nursing, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-023-01228-6

Montenegro, M. (2021). Could it be any easier? - Measures to deal with harassment at sea. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12380/302709

Osterman, C., & Boström, M. (2021). Workplace bullying and harassment at sea: A structured literature review. Marine Policy, 136, 104910. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104910

Piñeiro, L. C., & Kitada, M. (2020). Sexual harassment and women seafarers: The role of laws and policies to ensure occupational safety & health. Marine Policy, 117, 103938. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2020.103938

Popoola, N. O. A., et al. (2024). The impact of automation on maritime workforce management: A conceptual framework. International Journal of Management & Entrepreneurship Research, 6(5), 1467–1488. https://doi.org/10.51594/ijmer.v6i5.1095

Republic of the Philippines. (2024). Republic Act No. 12021: Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers. Official Gazette. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2024/09/23/republic-act-no-12021/

Syaebani, M., Zen, W., Devina, M., Nikmah, U., & Primadini, D. (2022). Sexual harassment against female nurses at hospitals in ja-karta, indonesia. Sawwa Jurnal Studi Gen-der, 17(2), 221-246. https://doi.org/10.21580/sa.v17i2.14299

Tyler, Tom. (2006). Why do People Obey the Law.

Vargas, E., Brassel, S., Cortina, L., Settles, I., Johnson, T., & Jagsi, R. (2020). #medtoo: a large-scale examination of the incidence

and impact of sexual harassment of phy-sicians and other faculty at an academic medical center. Journal of Women S Health, 29(1), 13-20. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2019.7766

Yakubu, M. (2023). Prevention of workplace bullying and harassment: a conceptual review. JOPSOA, 30(1), 6-12. https://doi.org/10.69984/jopsoa.v30i1.105

Downloads

Published

2025-09-23

Data Availability Statement

The data supporting the findings of this study are not publicly available due to confidentiality agreements with participants. Summary data may be made available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

How to Cite

Abella, G. . (2025). Review and Analysis of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Policies and Procedures in Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) For the Protection of Female Seafarers. International Journal of Multidisciplinary: Applied Business and Education Research, 6(9), 4327-4334. https://doi.org/10.11594/ijmaber.06.09.08