Team Herald

MARGAO: Goan Seaman Association of India (GSAI)   celebrated international day of the seafarers on Sunday at Quepem municipal hall where a large number of working and retired seafarers attended.

Leader of opposition and Quepem MLA Babu Kavlekar was the chief guest and assured that he would demand increase in seafarers’ pension from 2500 to 5000 per month in the coming assembly session. 

He said that the government needs to protect the seafarers as they are helping the government by seeking for their own employment and not asking for government jobs. Ten retired seamen from Quepem constituency were felicitated for their long service at sea. Member Gabriel Pinto urged the working seamen to join the organization and safeguard the interests.

President Dixon Vaz highlighted the achievements of the organization and asked the Goa government to set up a nautical college in Goa and a cruise ship pier in Dona Paula so that more ships can visit Goa as Asia is a new market for cruise liners. 

He also discussed the issue of 10 dollar deduction from every Indian seamen and deposited in the NUSI welfare fund which is a huge scam and will take the matter to the court if needed as there is no transparency in the collection and benefit for the seafarers.