Local cruise line recruiter Pauldric Moses has refuted allegations that he engages in unethical business practices, including the taking of bribes.{{more}}

“We do not accept bribes. Many people in the past have tried, but I have said no because it is a breach of ethics,” Moses said on Wednesday.

Moses, the proprietor of East West Ship Services, spoke to SEARCHLIGHT following accusations from some that he takes bribes in return for assisting persons to gain employment on major cruise lines.

The latest set of allegations follows the circulation of a letter from Royal Caribbean indicating that they would no longer be accepting recruitment from St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The letter indicated that a decision had been arrived at to “move away from recruiting efforts in St Vincent” and as a result, the agreement between Royal Caribbean and East West Ship Services would not be renewed, ending the almost 22-year long relationship as of May 15, 2010.

In an interview with SEARCHLIGHT, Moses indicated that the decision was made as a result of the many complaints of negative behaviour of Vincentian workers made to the management of the cruise line.

Complaints included the issuing of threats to supervisors, the pulling of knives on co-workers and drug possession among Vincentian workers.

This situation prompted a visit from the cruise line’s management to this country late last year, Moses said.

Moses contended that the termination of the contract had nothing to with any underhand dealings as has been speculated.

According to Moses, there are many persons who would like to go sailing, but who refuse to wait, which Moses said prompted the other issue of contention.

“There are people who want to go on a ship on their time, but there is a procedure that has to be followed,” Moses explained.

“People are saying that people give me money and I take it and am not sending them to sail,” he told SEARCHLIGHT.

This concern was brought to the attention of Royal Caribbean after someone became frustrated with having to wait and contacted the luxury liners’ management.

Moses said that the issue was settled after copies of the transactions were sent and it was discovered that the person had entered into a legitimate business transaction with him and was issued a receipt, proof that the funds paid were in no way a bribe.

With competition and varying standards for employment by different cruise lines, Moses said that there were principled reasons why some persons needed to wait longer than others.

“We don’t rob nobody. We don’t thief no one,” he said.

“If you want a refund, you bring your receipt and we will give you your refund.”

“If people change their minds, we give them their refund. We tell them when to come and we give them what is theirs,” he contended. (DD)