MARGAO: Taking into consideration the profound impact Covid-19 pandemic has had in their lives, the huge seafarer community in the State has decided to back only those candidates who supported them during the crisis, irrespective of the political credentials.
Several seafarers from the State are extremely upset with the political leaders, especially from the ruling party, which has been in power for the last 10 years. Seafarers have alleged that the present government failed to resolve their problems permanently. They have also hinted at a change in government.
It is pertinent to note that Covid pandemic has adversely impacted the seafarers, wherein most of them are struggling financially. They are even struggling to start a new business in Goa and they haven’t received any financial help from the government to bail them out of their financial crisis. This is despite the fact that seafarers are major source of foreign exchange, which plays an important role in State’s economic growth.
Speaking to Herald, Frank Viegas, president of Goan Seamen Association of India (GSAI) said that irrespective of their political parties, seafarers will stand by those candidates who helped them during the difficult times.
“One of our major demands has been to make retired seafarers and the widows, permanent beneficiaries of the Goa Welfare/Pension Scheme. But it has not been done despite pleading for the same. Fate of other schemes central government schemes are also shrouded in uncertainty. In other words there are still no permanent solutions to the issues of seafarers,” he lamented.
According to him their association should have been recognised by the government, as they are aware of the ground realities.
“We were hoping that we would get a boost at the government level, but all in vain. Nobody cares for the seafarers,” Viegas said.
He further said that they want a stable government who will protect the identity of their community.
Dixan Vaz, a founder member of the GSAI said that seafarers’ community have been given step-motherly treatment for the last 10 years and hence they will “think twice” before supporting the one who have “failed to resolve” their issues.
“Seafarers will not forget the harassment they faced during the turbulent Covid-lockdown period. The seafarer community is struggling to get their issues resolved, wherein even the pension scheme is not being made permanent,” he stated.
On the other hand Joe Fernandes, a seafarer from Quepem, was very much straight forward saying they will not support the party and the candidate who have not shown any care for the seafarers.
