Reports | 25 05 2020
The dream of many Syrians of travelling has become a reality in a number of ways, one of which is via global shipping companies operating on the Syrian coast, and which have come to be considered a safe gateway to the Western world.
Work Contracts for Sale and for Travel!
The desire to travel outside the country is not new to Syrians, yet given the current situation it has become an obsession occupying many people. Some of them chose a straightforward manner to travel such as asylum, a number of them escaped the country by sea, with others still in the process of trying to find a way to travel.
Yasser al-Assad tells Rozana of a new way to travel outside of Syria. Although it existed previously, it had merely been a way to find work. Now it has become a way out of the dark reality many Syrians live through.
He explains: "This is via a contract between one of the shipping companies in the coastal area, and an individual willing to work on a ship. They undergo the necessary courses and obtain certification enabling them to work aboard a ship. The duration of the trip back and forth is ten months for a monthly salary of $600."
Yasser confirms that some captains working in these shipping companies, grant official certificates for work on the ship; but do so surreptitiously, or illegally, for people wishing to travel without having to actually undergo the required training sessions.
He adds: "The captain is willing to grant the certificate in exchange for receiving 200-300 thousand pounds. After the captain grants the certificate to those wishing to travel, and receiving his payment therefore, the employee starts work on the ship."
According to the young man, the worker can then escape at any stopover coastal port on the ship's route.
A Lengthy Journey for the Sake of Safe Travel
News about illegal immigration, particularly travel by sea, were not comfortable for many Syrians; as many of the boats did not reach Europe, with immigrants dying at sea.
Amer Maqsous from Latakia says: "I was about to travel to Libya to catch up with my colleague who went to Italy, aboard the illegal boats there. But after having received no news from him by his parents, and the prospect of him actually having died, I backed away from that idea."
The young man then decided on a more secure travel method, via shipping companies operating on the Syrian coast. For, despite the long and potentially boring trip, he believes that it would guarantee his safe arrival.
Hussein al-Bunni, a recent arrival to the Netherlands, recounts what happened to him: "I traveled on board the ship as a kitchen hand. This was aboard a ship of one of the shipping companies, after I received a Panamanian certificate. What sets this certificate apart from other certificates, is that its holder can transit at any port therewith."
He explains: "The journey was originally from Syria to Brazil. My journey from the port of Latakia to the port of Marseille on the French coast took three months," explaining that when he arrived at Marseille, his cousin who eventually secured his safe and easy passage to the Netherlands, was awaiting him.
Asylum, Safety, and Stability
With the worsening situation in Syria, and the increased pressures on Syrians in terms of living and security conditions; people from various cities are continuously searching for new ways to escape the fear, and pursue their desire for a better life.
Samer Siyagha from al-Suwayda says: "Shortly after my release from prison I decided to travel to Brazil where my uncles are, to escape the tightening security noose around me."
He adds that he resorted to Syrian captains working in the shipping company, and who requested amounts he deemed reasonable for him, in exchange for granting a certificate of work; noting that "this method is the most accessible escape route available to me... Especially since I am fresh out of detention, and my finances are quite meager."
An Opportunity for Survival, an Opportunity for Travel
Young Syrians are forced to travel outside the country when their military service is due. A contract with one of the shipping companies, which will help them get a deferral of their military service also means an opportunity to stay—an ideal solution in the opinion of Alaa' Hassoun, a graduate from the Faculty of Civil Engineering.
The young man says: "My military service deferral has come to an end. The advantage of this method is that it gives me an additional deferral for a full year. I hence communicated with the ship captain, and we reached an agreement for me to purchase a work certificate from him."