In a move to curb malpractices in recruitment and prevent seafarers from getting duped or abandoned at sea, India has issued a 10-point advisory after it came to fore that several seafarers are being cheated, misled and financially exploited by unauthorized recruitment and placement agents under the pretext of job offering on foreign flagged vessels.
Taking a serious note of such incidents, India’s Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) advised seafarers to avoid unauthorized agencies and ensure placement only through registered Recruitment and Placement Service License (RPSL) companies.
“Additional precautions must be taken to avoid impersonation of registered RPSLs and to regularly check Master Checker for sea service updates,” the advisory said.
According to the 10-point advisory issued by the DGS, seafarers and their parents are advised to exercise utmost caution and verify the real time status of any Recruitment and Placement Services Licence (RPSL) company before initiating any form of interaction.
The Directorate General of Shipping has made available a live and continuously updated system on its website, displaying whether an RPSL is valid, invalid, or temporarily blocked.
According to the advisory, seafarers must refrain from paying money for job placement, handing over their passport or CDC to unknown individuals, or accepting employment offers through WhatsApp, social media platforms, or other informal channels.
The advisory highlights the challenges faced by the victims recruited through unauthorized channels, including inadequate support during accidents, injuries, medical emergencies, or stranding, no intervention in wage or compensation disputes, and avoidance of responsibility in case of demise of the seafarer, including failure to arrange mortal remains or compensation.
The country’s shipping regulator also urged seafarers to contact the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) for any support, clarification, or to report fraudulent recruitment activities.
Such agencies often evade responsibility, leaving seafarers vulnerable in critical situations, the DGS warns.
In recent years, Indian seafarers have faced particularly acute challenges due to the high number facing abandonment: in 2023, more Indian seafarers were abandoned than any other nationality.
