PANJIM: With nearly 7,000-8,000 Goan seafarers being stuck overseas, especially in the coronavirus infected countries, the State is in talks with Centre and the concerned Embassies to get them back.
Addressing media on Tuesday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that seafarers, who are currently working overseas on the cruise liners, are the biggest worry before the government. “There are nearly 7,000-8,000 seafarers, who are stuck in countries like Italy, Spain, US,” he said.
“We are in talks with Union Home Ministry and Ministry for External Affairs to get these seafarers back to Goa. Also, the State NRI Commission has consulted the respected Embassies. The solution is expected to be worked out in the next two days,” Sawant said.
“We have to also take a call to screen them and home or facility quarantine them on their return back to the State,” the CM added.
He added that NCP MLA Churchill Alemao and the Seafarers Association have been in constant touch with him on the issue. “Also, the family and friends of the seafarers are writing emails and sending messages to me for help,” he said.
Meanwhile, Alemao in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought his intervention to provide quick assistance and help to our Goan seafarers, who are currently working overseas on cruise liners such as Royal Caribbean Cruise Liner, Carnival Cruise Lines, Cunard, MSC Cruise, etc.
“Please note that most of our Goan seafarers are employed on various cruise liners around the world, specially Europe and USA and since, majority of the nations are going through a comprehensive lockdown to fight the battle against coronavirus, most of them are standard, “the former CM said in the letter.
Alemao added that Philippines, China, India, Indonesia, Ukraine and Russia are amongst the biggest suppliers of crew members.
“Airline and port restrictions in most of these countries have made it nearly impossible for crew members to get home, if the government does not make specially arrangements. Sir, please help all our Indian seafarers who are anxiously waiting for the govt of India to intervene and come to their rescue,” he said.
