Ukrainian seamen still cannot go abroad

Thousands of seamen have been left without the opportunity to work – despite the government’s decree, they cannot leave the country’s borders.

The problem at the moment is in the recruitment and training centers – the military commissariats: they do not issue the necessary documents for departure, says Serhiy Bratchuk, the spokesman for Odesa Regional Military Administration.

“Despite the requirements of the resolution, the territorial centers of recruitment and social support of the Odesa region still do not issue permits,” Bratchuk notes.

According to the speaker, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has not yet developed a clear procedure for issuing permission to sailors to leave their place of residence, i.e. obtaining military registration documents.

As a reminder, three categories of sailors can leave the country for work:

-cadets of educational institutions for practical training on vessels under the Ukrainian or foreign flag;

-sailors who are on their way to work as part of the crews of ships making flights to/from seaports of Ukraine. Currently, only crews involved in the export of Ukrainian agricultural products within the framework of the “grain corridor” have permission;

-other Ukrainian sailors are the largest group that goes abroad to work on sea vessels, inland navigation vessels as part of the crews of such vessels.

Seafarers are eligible for the permit if they have obtained the appropriate education and qualification by February 24, 2022 or completed their training during martial law.