MARGAO, MAY 20
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat has assured retired seafarers that he would take up with the National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) the long-pending issue of enhancement of pension for the retired seafarers.
Kamat made the promise to a delegation of Goan Retired Seamen Welfare Association, who called on him seeking his intervention to solve their long pending grievances.
“I have promised the retired seafarers that I will discuss with the NUSI general secretary Abdul Ghani Y Segang on the phone. If required, I am ready to meet Segang when in Mumbai to understand and resolve the problem of the seafarers”, the Chief Minister later told Herald.
The seafarers association led by Ifrona Dias and others briefed the Chief Minister about the pathetic state of the retired seafarers and their demand for an enhancement of the monthly ex-gratia relief.
Dias told newsmen outside the Chief Minister’s residence that the Chief Minister has assured to take up their problems with the NUSI general secretary. “We had made several representations to NUSI and ITF, but in vain. The case is being pursued in London by Morris”, he said.
The Goan Retired Seamen welfare Association President further said that the retired seafarers and widows of the seafarers had been demanding a hike in the monthly ex-gratia relief from the existing Rs 200, but the demand has till date not found favour with the NUSI management.
Moreover, the retired seafarers maintained that the monthly ex-gratia relief of Rs 200 is not being disbursed on a monthly basis, but comes once in six months or more. “How can the retired seafarers survive in this inflationary conditions. This despite the fact that these very same seafarers had brought in rich foreign exchange and supported the economy with their earnings”, he asserted.
Dias said the NUSI general secretary during his visit to Goa in 2007 had promised an enhancement in the ex-gratia relief, but in vain.
