SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Claiming that the current lockdown; coupled with the upcoming 61-days long monsoon ban period will have a castigating impact on the lives of fishing community, the Goenchea Raponkarancho Ekvott (GRE) has demanded for an economic package with an advance monthly allowance of Rs 20,000 for next three months, to sustain their living.
The 21-day nationwide lockdown, imposed in the wake of COVID19 pandemic will be in force till April 14; while the monsoon ban period will come into force from June 1.
In a letter to Director Fisheries Shamila Monteiro, General Secretary of GRE Olencio Simoes has said that if the government fails to adhere to their demands, then it would be suicidal for the fishing community.
“As we know that India is at stage 2 now and only stern precautions can halt stage 3 (community transmission) of COVID-19. In lieu of this, it was decided by all associations of Goa that fishermen going to sea/river will be highly dangerous as the virus can spread to others easily. Therefore it was decided that no fishermen will venture into sea till April 14. As you are aware that fishworker community is a community with major number of migrants in the occupations as a result there is a high possibility of community transmission of the virus to the State of Goa,” he said.
“Hence it is essential for the government to have a comprehensive approach to address the pandemic through necessary heath precautions as well as devising immediate economic and social security measures to the unorganised workers too as they too serve as the backbone of the economy too,” Simoes said.
GRE has demanded that government should immediately announce an economic package specifically for the fishing community, keeping in mind that the monsoon ban season is arriving and that it will also affect the livelihoods of thousands of fishworkers and those dependent. It has also demanded that a monthly allowance of Rs 20,000 up to three months be provided in advance.
In their series of demands, the Association has demanded the release of pending Petrol subsidy and other subsidies of the year 2017-18 to provide all essential commodities to societies so that it can be distributed to the workers/crew members. Further to allow only non-motorized fishing and traditional form of fishing without motor-like Rapon, Mag, Cantai, Pagel etc. They have further demanded for the supply of adequate number of masks with proper instructions for use and use of soap water and sanitary equipments, sanitizing fishing jetties and landing sites and awareness campaigns.
Simoes, who is also the Vice-Chairperson of the National Fisherfolks Forum, has also pointed out that despite the nation-wide ban on fishing, some boat owners in the State are recklessly carrying out the activities in illegal manner.
