Fair recruitment: no fees, no gifts
PIoWR Learning Hub · about 5 minutes, including the quiz · For: Seasonal Workers, Fishers
In this lesson you will learn:
- Why recruitment fees are a warning sign
- What the rules say
- How to check an offer is real
Why it matters
When workers pay to get a job, they often start in debt. Debt makes it hard to say no to unsafe work or to leave a bad employer. That is why fair recruitment rules say workers should not pay recruitment fees.
What the rules say
- Fishers: ILO C188 says no fees or other charges for recruitment or placement may be borne by the fisher, directly or indirectly (Art. 22). Private recruitment services must be licensed or regulated.
- PALM: the PALM website says you do not need to pay or give gifts to anyone to join the scheme. You apply through your own country's labour sending unit.
- Domestic workers: ILO C189 says agency fees should not be deducted from domestic workers' pay (Art. 15).
- WCPFC CMM 2024-04 asks members to share information on crew providers (recruitment agencies) so they can be identified.
How to check an offer
1. Ask your labour sending unit or labour ministry whether the employer or agent is real and approved. Vanuatu, for example, publishes a list of approved agents.
2. Be careful with offers on social media that ask for money for visas, medicals or 'processing'. PALM has a page on scams targeting PALM workers.
3. Never hand over your passport to an agent you do not know.
4. Get everything in writing — employer, job, pay, costs, dates.
5. Talk to a union or someone who has done the work before.
If you are asked for money, say no, keep the messages, and report it to your labour ministry.
Key points
- Paying for a job can trap you in debt.
- C188 says fishers must not pay recruitment fees; PALM says do not pay or give gifts to join.
- Check offers with your labour sending unit before you pay or sign anything.
Self-check quiz. Choose your answers, then check them. The correct answers are shown after you check. Nothing is recorded.
Sources
- ILO C188, Art. 22 (NORMLEX)
- ILO C189, Art. 15 (NORMLEX)
- PALM — Fiji country page (no fees or gifts)
- PALM — Resources for workers (incl. scams)
- PALM — Vanuatu country page (approved agents list)
- WCPFC CMM 2024-04, para. 3 (PDF)
This lesson is general information, not legal advice. Checked 2 October 2026.
Pacific Institute of Workplace Relations — Fair Conditions At Work