Having been denied his salary, Lasrado’s wife, Celcy is compelled to borrow money from relatives to get by. With paranoia kicking in, she and her children have approached the NRI Affairs Director of Goa, U D Kamat along with the Goa Seamen Association President, Dixon Vaz. Kamat has promptly written to the Indian High Commission in Cape Town requesting them to help Lasrado and the crew. At present, the International Transport Federation and the shipping company haven’t come to any conclusion with respect to the vessel. Meanwhile, the condition of the crew is getting dire with each passing day.
In a mail to the Goa Seamen Association, Lasrado has expressed anguish over the uncountable lies the captain and the shipping company have told to evade giving the crew their salaries. Lasrado and his crew took steps to inform the ITF who have finally stepped in and elevated the matter to court. There are people onboard who are the sole bread earners for their family. Due to the lack of funds for the family,
Banks have also turned hostile towards the crew for non-payment of loan dues.
Celcy said “We can still survive here in Goa with our savings but my husband and his crew are living in dire conditions there and need urgent help,” she said. “This is not just a story of one crew member. Everyone here has a sad story to tell with kids being thrown out of school, the loss of hope and ambition, wives being forced to borrow money,” added Lasrado.
Lasrado went on to say, “The crew have not washed clothes for months due to the lack of water. We are supplied with water for only 30 minutes in a day and have been consuming unhygenic water. In addition, sanitation is not proper with the ship giving off a foul odour since garbage and sewage hasn’t been disposed off.
