SOURCES within the seafaring community report that Myanmar sailors are currently paying up to US$7,000 in service fees to job recruiters to secure a position on ships.
Lately, interest in seafaring careers has surged among young people, but those who do not meet the required qualifications are increasingly resorting to paying fees to find a job.
“The majority of youths do not meet the qualifications required by employers. So, brokers ask for fees. So, the practice of paying for a job has become quite obvious. When recruiters see an influx of people willing to pay, they hike the prices, which have reached between $2,000 to $7,000,” said Captain Soe Min Aung, president of the Myanmar Seafarers Federation.
Despite paying these fees, some sailors face significant losses, such as being assigned to the wrong ships, different titles, and other irrelevant jobs.
Captain Soe Min Aung expressed a desire to see these illegal recruitment practices eliminated and urged relevant departments to take legal action. He added that if seafarers focus on learning the skills required, they will find more employment opportunities. — MT/ZN
