Team Herald
MARGAO: Goan Seamen Association of India (GSAI) urged National Union Seafarers of India (NUSI) to increase the widow’s monetary assistance from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000.
Frank Viegas, President of GSAI met Milind Kandalgaonkar, General Secretary-cum-treasurer of NUSI in Mumbai and gave representation, also brought to his notice hardship faced by seafarers.
“Seafarers are subjected to very harsh conditions at work. With the rough seas, extreme heat, and cold conditions, sometimes even when the health conditions are not normal, a job has to be done to ensure that the vessel reaches the port of destination safely and at a scheduled time.
“Working in the toughest working conditions, cut off from social life, away from family, and not available for them in the time they need us the most, taking up the Seafarers job itself is a big sacrifice, not only for our families but for our nation and the whole world”, said Viegas.
He further brought to the notice of the NUSI that in seafarers’ life, women play an important role in their families as seafarers are on board.
“Wives of seafarers and the mothers have to look after the well being of the children of seafarers when they are on board. Household and everything has to be done by them itself, with due respect in giving them recognition at least to the widows of seafarers from increasing their monetary assistance from Rs. 200 to Rs. 1000”, said Viegas.
