Field Research in Pula: The Importance of Building Connections Among Filipino Workers

Last weekend, Dr. Nadia Molek took part in a field visit to Pula, Croatia, as part of her ARIS postdoctoral research project, *Crossroads: Labour Migration and the Integration of Asian Workers into the Slovenian Labour Market*.

The visit was carried out in cooperation with representatives of the Filipino Workers’ Organization and the Workers’ Advisory Centre. Its aim was to establish contacts with Filipino workers in Pula, exchange experiences, and present opportunities for workers to connect and organise collectively.

As a researcher, Dr. Molek used the method of participant observation. The conversations and meetings raised numerous questions about the working and living experiences of Filipino migrants, particularly the importance of access to information, mutual support, and organisations that workers can turn to when facing difficulties.

Such encounters demonstrate that the integration of migrants is not merely a matter of employment and administrative procedures. It is also about how people build relationships, develop trust, and create opportunities for collective action. It is equally interesting to observe how connections among Filipino workers are developing across national borders.