After concluding his studies on Political Sciences in Strasbourg (France) in 1998 , P. Alfonso worked from 1999 to 2004 as a Parliamentary Assistant to the Vice-Chairperson of the EP Employment and Social Affairs Committee.

He then worked for the Dublin-based the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. He eventually joined the European Transport Workers Federation (ETF) in October 2005 as Political Secretary for Maritime Transport, Fisheries and Dockers.

As from April 2011, he became full-time Political Secretary responsible for shipping. In this capacity he coordinates the work of the ETF Maritime Transport Section - which brings together the European seafarers’ unions – focusing on quality jobs and promoting the demand for European seafarers and maritime professionals, seafarers’ social rights and well-being, and the need for high-level training.