The pay and conditions fall well below minimum levels required by law and may be illegal for children. Nonetheless the kids come, driven by necessity, often unaware of what they are getting into and sometimes tricked or virtually kidnapped by unscrupulous agents. The poor pay and hard work are just the beginning. Jermal kids tend to be chronically tired from the long hours and irregular rest, increasing the probability of accidents and injuries. Nutrition is poor.
Medical treatment is primitive or non-existent.
Isolation breeds emotional problems. There are fights among the children every day. Not every jermal is so hellish, but none are places for a child. But since the boss's rule was that I could get my money only if I worked at least three months, I forced myself to stay. He has now been aboard five months, without once setting foot on land.