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Sensemaking, Inequity and Agency in a Precarious Transnational Workspace: The Case of International Seafarers

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  • Nick Bailey
  • Nik Winchester

Abstract

International seafarers are highly trained and certificated workers but are subject to precaritising working conditions. This affects how they understand and respond to perceived inequities in relation to terms and conditions of employment. Drawing on qualitative interview data, this article examines how this group of workers make sense, rationalise and cope with precarious working conditions. In so doing, it: (i) highlights a range of inequities in seafarer terms and conditions of employment; (ii) examines how seafarers make sense of, and respond to, these inequities within a precaritising work context; and (iii) argues that seafarers adopt a pragmatic context‐sensitive approach that allows them to flex between different modes of understanding (i.e., framings) in a manner that is individualised, rational and preserves their sense of agency.

Suggested Citation

  • Nick Bailey & Nik Winchester, 2026. "Sensemaking, Inequity and Agency in a Precarious Transnational Workspace: The Case of International Seafarers," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 57(2), pages 160-169, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:indrel:v:57:y:2026:i:2:p:160-169
    DOI: 10.1111/irj.70022
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