MARCOS GONSALVES
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MARGAO: It is sad and shocking to know that the government of Goa hasn’t yet made welfare schemes meant for the seafarers’ community permanent
And every Goan knows that our seafarers are sons of the soil and breadwinners for countless families at sea
This seafarer’s community will be ‘celebrating’ ‘Tarvotteancho Dis’ (Seafarers Day) on Saturday, June 25 at Margao, but also wondering if there’s much to celebrate
Speaking to Herald, Seafarers and the leaders of their association called Goan Seamen Association of India (GSAI) listed out several pending demands and urged the government at the Centre and State to show concern for their issues.
Thousands of seafarers working away from their families, maintain so many homes which in turn put money into the Goan system. However, in return, they struggle and are still struggling for something very simple- to have access to their welfare schemes permanently.
It was then Chief Minister of Goa late Manohar Parrikar formulated the welfare/pension scheme for the retired seafarers and their widows somewhere in 2013. Within a few years, the scheme was discontinued to the grave disappointment of 2500 retired seafarers. Thereafter, there have been continuous demands from the Seafarers community to restart the scheme. For the time being the Department of NRI Affairs released the dues of the beneficiaries as a long gap of several months.
Speaking to Herald, Frank Viegas, President of GSAI, said they want the government to put the issue to rest by making this welfare scheme permanent, as the period of the scheme is going to end on November 30, 2022.
“GSAI had requested to put the issue to rest once and for all by making the Goa welfare pension scheme for seafarers permanent”, said Viegas.
He further said that the NRI Department is not considering the new applicants who have already missed six months of benefits of the scheme which they would have been entitled to.
“Most of them are senior citizens, widows, and medically unfit seafarers who have to run from pillar to post just to avail some information or to prepare a document”, said Viegas.
As informed by the President they have some demands pending with the Central Government’s Ministry of Shipping, and they have high hopes on the Minister of State for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Shripad Naik.
“The demand pertaining to giving relaxation for those seafarers who have been debarred for a period of three years from applying to the Indian CDC has been resolved”, said Viegas.
He further said that they had requested with the concerned ministry to give more relaxation or to abolish the given period as the seafarers were already employed and had worked for more than two years. Another issue that has been resolved at the Central level was pertaining to increasing the slot and streamlining the process for BSID.
“Still, we have some important issues or demands with the Central Government, such as relaxation regarding Sea Service experience to be considered up to December 31, 2020, to apply for Indian CDC. It is a matter of concern to our seafarers since Indian CDC has been considered as a mandatory document”, said Viegas.
Seafarers want relaxation for those seafarers whose sea service experience is up to January 11, 2018, to be considered up to December 31, 2020, without SSC qualification so they are eligible to apply for the same.
Considering the present-day scenario, getting a job after completing pre-sea training has been very tough and competitive as many students are going for this course and there aren’t enough ships to place them on board.
“Jobs are hard to come by although our top management companies are taking over ships by the hundred. It seems strange but the unemployment rate for fresh graduates in Merchant shipping is still high. The senior ranked officers have had a smooth going until now. However, those at the junior level are still struggling,” said the GSAI President.
But first things first. There is a silver lining on at least one front. Anthony D’Souza, Director for the Department of NRI Affairs, is on record that he will be moving the file before the government again pertaining to making the welfare scheme permanent.
