No , you are not wrong it is a cost.
What is true though is that some pilots came to Dubai , passed all the tests , have been offered a job and decided not to join...
So after that the company decided to change the process.
Can we blame them ?
There are a few guys applying to different companies in the Middle East going to the interview ( when it is free ) and then pick the one that suits them the most...
Is it really fair ? I let you decide BUT all I know is that if it was your company and your money , you will be upset.
The same thing happened years ago with type ratings , I have never been asked to pay for any type rating until recently and during my career I have seen more and more pilot joining a company to get a type rating with 500 Hrs and then leaving to join the company they wanted to but requiring to be type rated with some Hrs on type.
So now more and more companies require us to sign a bond , or to pay for the rating or to stay a certain number of years...
Can we blame them or should we blame ourselves ?