Paper for Issue

Lived Experiences of Fish Vendors Facing Heat Exposure and Occupational Challenges

Abstract

This qualitative-phenomenological research investigated the lived experience of ten fish vendors who produce semi-dried fish and are subjected to high exposure to heat and work-related issues. The respondents were purposively chosen according to specified criteria. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews using a validated open-ended interview guide and analyzed using Colaizzi's descriptive phenomenological approach. Results revealed that fish selling was not merely a means of livelihood but a means of life and pursuing a better life. Fish sellers described their everyday lives, such as production processes, and discussed economic, environmental, and social issues, such as price fluctuations, climate change, and social stigma. In spite of these, the fish sellers were coping with the adaptive strategies they have utilized, such as innovations in marketing, responsive pricing, and adaptive attitudes. Their presence underscored how informal workers cope with uncertainty by being innovative, cooperative, and resilient. The findings of the study can guide local government units and policymakers in designing supportive economic policies and sustainable livelihood programs and improving working conditions and promoting local food tourism. KEYWORDS: Fish Vendors, Heat Exposure, Occupational Challenges, Lived Experiences, Coping Strategies, Informal Sector, Phenomenology, Sustainable Livelihood, Small-Scale Enterprise, Local Food Tourism