TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: The Goan Seamen Association of India on Thursday welcomed the release of Capt Sunil James by the Togo government, even as they reiterated their demand for a separate cell for Goan seafarers.
GSAI had called a protest rally near the South Goa District Collectorate on Thursday morning to protest over the delay in releasing Capt James, but put off the program after news trickled in that the merchant navy captain had been released by the Togo authorities.
GSAI President Dixon Vaz welcomed the release of Capt James and thanked the Prime Minister and all others who played their role in securing the release of the captain.
He reiterated GSAI’s demand for setting up of a cell for seafarers by Goa government to meet the requirements of Goa’s seafaring community.
Capt Venzy Viegas said the Capt James episode should hopefully open the eyes of the Indian government. He said the government should engage a lawyer to intervene in cases involving Indian seafarers.
Capt Alben D’Silva cautioned seafarers not to join any vessel unless the shipping management conforms to the various labour conventions in force. “The Director of Shipping may not intervene in cases when the vessel does not conform to the conventions in force for the benefit of the seamen”, he added.
