Anxious seafarers stranded overseas, lash out at govt for not addressing their problems

Team Herald

PANJIM: Seafarers stranded on the vessels they were working on, which are now anchored mid sea at different places took to social media to express their fears and frustrations and lashed out at the Goa government for not doing anything to address their problems.

Seafarers working for a Norwegian company wondered what happens to the money deducted every month from their salary and demanded that the money be recovered through the Norwegian Seafarers Union as every amounts ranging from $ 5 to $ 25 are reportedly deducted every month from their salary.

While pointing out that nobody knows what happens with this money, the seafarers urged colleagues to demand accountability so that they know what is done with the money and also asked that they be repatriated in these times of crisis.

Another seafarer who preferred to remain anonymous opined that both the State as well as the Union government are not serious about addressing their problem. He pointed out that the governments permitted foreign flights to land in Goa to evict their nationals and said the government loves the foreigners more than its own citizens.

He pointed out that 70 per cent of the Indian crew working on foreign vessels are Goans and reminded that India ranks third with the number of seafarers. He also pointed out that the governments of Philippines, Indonesia and even Caribbean Islands are tirelessly working to repatriate their nationals.

He also asked Goan MLAs to specify what they have specifically done to give them relief other than just addressing press conferences. He said instead of being concerned about the Goan seafarers MLAs are seen pampering the migrants in Goa.

However, yet another seafarer thanked the companies or all the facilities extended to the crew stranded on the vessels who he said are provided food and shelter and also remuneration and free WIFI to keep in touch with their family.

He lamented that they are the worst affected due to the government’s failure as it allowed a large congregation to gather in Delhi that spread the virus to different States and will now probably result in the lockdown being extended to a further period.

Interestingly, Edgar Julian Remedios one of the persons who tested positive for Covid-19 and is at the ESI Hospital in Margao in his testimony praised Dr Edwin Gomes and said he was alive only because of this doctor.

Edgar who has travel history said as his flights from Cairo to USA were cancelled he had to come to Goa and said that was providence as he checked in at GMC and Dr Edwin examined him and he was all praise for Dr Edwin’s patience and attitude.

Meanwhile Goan Seafarers Association of India (GSAI)  has organized a mass to be celebrated at Bom Jesus Basilica on April 8 at 8 am which will be shown live on YouTube and other links.