TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: There was an uproar at the NUSI Khareband office on Tuesday after a group of retired seafarers and members of Goan Seaman Association of India (GSAI) protested outside, demanding an enhancement in ex-gratia relief.
The protestors greeted general secretary of the National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) Abdulgani Serang with black flags and came face to face with him over the inordinate delay in enhancing the ex-gratia. They reminded Abdulgani of his promise made seven years ago to enhance the ex-gratia relief but in vain.
Abdulgani and NUSI office bearers, including vice-President Maruti had come down to the Khareband office to inaugurate the Facilitation Centre set up to assist seamen on cruise liners obtain Indian CDCs from the Director of Shipping.
GSAI members and retired seafarers later walked out of the hall after Abdulgani declined to attend any meeting on Wednesday proposed by GSAI unless the government representatives invite him for the meet. Instead, Abdulgani expressed his readiness to hear the grievances of retired seafarers in the hall itself, which did not find favour with GSAI members, who staged the walk out.
President Dixon Vaz and secretary Benny Da Costa later told newsmen that they have boycotted NUSI’s function to inaugurate the Facilitation Centre set up to help seafarers obtain Indian CDCs. “Abdulgani first told us that he is ready to meet us today, tomorrow and the day after but suddenly changed his mind. He is trying to divide the seafarers community by setting up the facilitation centre and doing nothing for the retired seafarers. Seafarers should not fall in NUSI trap. They are luring the seafarers to become their members”, Vaz cautioned.
Benny Da Costa warned that they will not allow the facilitation centre to function if NUSI does not take immediate measures to enhance the monthly ex-gratia relief. He said GSAI will chalk out their future course of action within the next couple of days.
On the other hand, Abdulgani declined to attend the meeting proposed by GSAI on Wednesday on grounds that NUSI has not received any communications from the Goa government over the proposed meet. “Let me make clear that NUSI will attend any meeting called by the Goa government. But the government should invite us for the meeting”, he asserted.
Earlier, Abdulgani distributed cheques to beneficiaries of NUSI welfare schemes, including medical, education and loan facility for serving seafarers to answer exams.
He explained in detail how seamen employed on cruise liners can apply for Indian CDCs and clarified that the facilitation centre is aimed at helping seafarers make the application and not to force anyone to become members of NUSI.
‘Ex-gratia only if Centre gives grant’
MARGAO: Announcing that widows of seafarers will receive Rs 400 monthly ex-gratia relief with effect from March 2013, NUSI general secretary Abdulgani Serang on Tuesday said that retired seafarers will get an enhanced ex-gratia relief only if the government of India gives a financial grant to the tune of Rs 280 crore.
When newsmen questioned him over the delay in enhancing the meagre ex-gratia relief of Rs 200 paid to retired seafarers and widows, Abdulgani shot back saying NUSI is not involved in ex-gratia relief. “This ex-gratia relief is being paid by the semi-government body Seafarer Welfare Fund Society. The society is run as per government guidelines. The society says it has no adequate funds to enhance the ex-gratia relief”, he said, adding that the government is coming out with statutory guidelines for shipping companies to contribute to the seafarers welfare fund.
