Liverpool John Moores University and The Mission to Seafarers have released a report highlighting the significant negative impact of recruitment fees on seafarers. The report analyses the results of a survey examining the prevalence of recruitment malpractice in the maritime industry. Most respondents are from the Philippines, India and Sri Lanka.

The report suggests the payment of high recruitment fees in the industry leads to several issues, including poor mental health, limited career opportunities and a loss of trust leading to increaesd labour shortages in the sector. The report also notes recruitment fees are particularly deleterious for workers from developing countries, and lead to conditions of debt bondage.

Key findings:

• Almost 92% of respondents indicated high concern for illegal recruitment practices and thought they should stop. 64.8% stated they were aware of such practices.
• 21.43% of respondents had paid recruitment fees. The majority of those who paid fees were from from India (35.5%), followed by the Philippines and Myanmar.
• The majority of respondents (57.8%) reported that the crewing agent appointed by the shipping company requested the fees.
• The average recruitment fee payment was $1,872. However, respondents reported a high range in payments, from $50-100 to around $7,500, with 10% of cases leaving workers in debt.
• Around a quarter of respondents reported having only partial knowledge and limited understanding of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 and other guidelines on seafarer labour rights.
• 35.7% of respondents did not know the procedure to file a complaint.
• 29% of respondents had their documents retained by the hiring company or recruitment agent during the recruitment process.
• More than half of those who paid a recruitment fee also had their documents withheld, which the report attributes to coercion tactics.

The authors of the report make several recommendations, including:

• More precisely define the fees and costs associated with recruitment so that seafarers can have a strong understanding of what they should not be charged for.
• Review national regulations to ensure they align with the Maritime Labour Convention 2006.
• Identify countries where recruitment fees are permitted for land-based jobs, where workers may not be aware that recruitment fees are illegal for jobs at sea or the payment of recruitment fees may be considered socially or culturally normal.
• Increase education and awareness to inform seafarers of their labour rights, such as through leaflets, notices, and via social media.
• Provide help to obtain experience during the first years of employment.
• Develop complaint mechanisms that offer anonymity, accessibility, and availability through multiple channels.