It came to our attention at Belugatalents, in the past few months, that another marine recruiter based in Canada has been charging fees to seafarers for helping them find jobs, either by monthly subcriptions, or by paying zoom eventbrite events or any other kind of training / coaching sessions which requires money to receive.
Seafarer jobs are regulated federally by Transport Canada, and Canada is signatory of the Maritime Labour Convention (2006, Manila Admenment of 2010). --> Is it strictly forbidden to collect any direct or indirect fees
This gimmick is quite popular in Arab Emirates / Saudi Arabia, Eastern Europe and South East Asia. But be aware this is illegal everywhere as it is a direct violation of the Maritime Labor Convention. Unfortunately, this illegal schema is now present in Canada since late 2024.
Also, per each province, like Ontario, a recruiter license might be needed to conduct recruitment or headhunting operations. Failure to operate with a license can lead the recruiter to be fined for $15,000, and taking money from foreign workers (non-PR and Non-citizen of Canada) can lead to another $15,000 of fines, for each province where the violation occurred.
Any seafarers who paid fees to receive help to find a job shall ask for a full refund, and report the situation to the board of employment of the different provinces.
At belugatalents.com, we help seafarers FOR FREE.