MARGAO: A large number of Goan seafarers have planned to travel to Delhi to join a nationwide protest for a hike in the ex-gratia monetary assistance of Rs 200. The protest, led by the Forward Seamen Union of India (FSUI), is aimed at the upcoming budget session of Parliament.
FSUI has met seafarers and their families in West Bengal, Odisha, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana, Bihar, Delhi, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh.
“The seafarers of all States have stood together under the banner of FSUI and planned a rally in Delhi in front of Parliament during the next session with a view to request the government to provide the seafarers with efficient pension and family medical packages as soon as possible,” said Salim V Parambath, executive committee member and coordinator for the all-India seafarers movement.
He complained that the seafarers working on foreign and Indian flag vessels for the last 30 – 40 years have not been given retirement packages and were misguided by the government and NSUI. He added, “We appeal to Goan Seamen Association of India (GSAI) to strengthen this movement since Goa has many seafarers.”
Salim also criticised the government and seafarer unions for failing to listen to their demands. He stated, “Our nation receives 650 million dollars as foreign exchange through the remittance of seafarers wages to support the finance in equilibrium, and this contribution is not less than what the tourists bring to our country.”
Salim lamented that seafarers so far receive only 200 rupees as monthly ex-gratia monetary assistance and accused the government of neglecting their efforts as citizens, given that the seafarers of India carry 90 percent of goods and services to India from abroad and work at different climatic conditions.
