Click to play videoMumbai: It's been a week since Italian luxury cruise liner Costa Concordia struck rocks and keeled on its side but there's still no news of Russell Rebello - the sole Indian crew member yet to be accounted for. And he was one of 200 Indian crew members on board that ship, that's 20 per cent of the total staff. So the questions here is Why do Indians make such a large market share of the cruise liner industry and what are the hazards of this profession?
Brian and Brenjoy are amongst the many youngsters from Vasai who joined the cruise liner industry for the promise of good money. Rendol D'mello, Brian's Uncle, says, "The profession pays well that's why many are taking it up."
While Airborne Recruiting has refused to comment on camera, they have confirmed that 151 Indian crew members on board the Costa Concordia were recruited through their agency. A majority of them from Maharashtra & Goa. They also say the percentage of Indians working as crew members on board cruise liners is rapidly increasing.
India currently has a 20 per cent market share of the cruise liner industry, second only to the Philippines that is at 35 per cent and this gap too is fast reducing.
Recruiting agencies say fluency in English and a large young population are propelling India forward. Lucrative pay packages and good working conditions make this an attractive career and to add to that recruits normally sign 8 month contracts which means they are not liable to pay taxes.
Some like Sheldon Fernandes who gave up the career to set up his own restaurant in Mumbai explain the flip side of the profession, like spending time away from the family and a difficulty in getting in touch with them.
Sheldon Fernandes, Former cruise crew member, says, "If there is an emergency, the recruitment agency only sends a fax to the parent company and this takes a lot of time."
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