A recent study highlights the continued illegal practice of soliciting recruitment fees from seafarers, a violation of the Maritime Labour Convention. Despite efforts to eliminate the practice, the report from The Institute for Human Rights and Business and Turtle shows that nearly a third of 2,672 seafarers interviewed in 2024 had paid fees to secure their jobs.
The fees, ranging from under $500 to more than $5,000, push seafarers into debt, causing stress and unsafe working conditions. The report urges stronger industry action, better reporting mechanisms, and penalties for offenders to combat the widespread corruption.
By Priyadharshini
Corruption in Maritime Hiring: One-Third of Seafarers Forced to Pay Recruitment Fees
