Fishermen and Inequality: Study About Profit Sharing System in Fisherman Society

This study based on a research about fishermen and inequality in relate with profit sharing system between ship crew or worker fishermen and bagan ship owner or employer fishermen. Profit sharing system was often said to be an unfair system that exploits the fisherman worker or ship crew, but this system has survived until now. Number of bagan ship in Kelurahan Pasia Nan Tigo Padang is around 69 with about 17 until 20 worker fishermen for every ship. Research problems are formulated in the following points. First, how the ship owner's views and attitudes toward the rules and practices of profit-sharing system. Second, how the views and attitudes of the fisherman workers on the profit-sharing system implemented that has been considered to be detrimental to them. Third, why the profit-sharing system in the fishermen community still remains. This research used qualitative method by doing observation and depth interview. The profit-sharing system practiced so far is one of the factors causing the inequality, many of the worker complain about this system they feel exploited by their employer but they can not "violate" or "protest" the system adopted by their employer. These worker argue better still to follow the rules that the owners have set instead of losing their livelihood as worker. If they feel uncomfortable or incompatible with the employer they can decide to stop being a crew.