The bottom line is that where there is significant demand - there will be opportunists for making money. This is exactly the case here.
How much do you want that job or position - if you do and are unlucky the sadly you will have to pay.
If everyone stuck together and said No - then they couldn't charge!
Sadly humans will do what ever it takes to get one on another hence - a Blackfoot from the start.
I was told by someone high up - saying why should we pay these guys (pilots) more when they will work for free!
Which is true - if you don't respect yourself and your profession - why should anyone else!