MARGAO: Seafarers Welfare Fund Society (SWFS) has declared COVID-19 Assistance Scheme for the seafarers with Indian CDC.
The Goan Seamen Association of India (GSAI) has however requested the government to explore possibilities to utilise the welfare fund to avoid levying paid quarantine charges to the shipping company or the seafarers returning to Goa.
The scheme has been started for the betterment of seafarers who have faced bad times during COVID-19 pandemic. It will be a sigh of relief for the seafarers. The scheme is applicable for a limited period from February 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020.
The seafarers and the family patient treatment will get Rs 1 lakh and in case of death of a seafarer Rs 2 lakh will be given as support for the next of kin. An amount of Rs 12 crore has been sanctioned for this scheme.
The GSAI put before the Chief Minister and State NRI Commission to utilise at least some of the funds from the SWFS for the payment of quarantine facility, because it is a substantial financial burden on the shipping companies, and utilisation of these funds can reduce the same.
The GSAI all along with other seafarers unions and associations has reiterated its demand for the cancellation of paid quarantine for the seafarers.