Team Herald
MARGAO: The Goa government is making efforts to ensure that the ‘Goa Welfare Pension Scheme’ for seafarers , which is due to expire in November, will soon become permanent, by taking the matter up with the Director General Shipping.
Anthony D’Souza, Director of NRI, told Herald that a meeting was held with the under secretary in this regard, and the file has been sent to the Chief Minister’s office. “There are positive signs pertaining to a permanent pension scheme for seafarers. The government will take the right decision soon,” said D’ Souza. It is pertinent to note that the seafarers’ community has been demanding that the government makes the scheme permanent, but there has been no sign of relief, despite the CM giving assurances, leaving the seafarers anxious about the future of their families.
Sources said that the authorities concerned are in touch with the Director General of Shipping pertaining to the deduction of the pension amount from the salaries of the seafarers. On the other hand, several seafarers have also complained that they are not receiving their pensions regularly.
“We don’t understand why the government is not serious on the issue, despite the seafarers’ community contributing a lot to Goa’s economy. Seafarers have been fighting for this for several years and in the end, we only get stop-gap solutions,” said Caetano Fernandes, a retired seafarer. He said the government is spending huge amounts of money on unnecessary things, instead. “Actually, the government should simplify the pension scheme keeping in mind the service of the seafarers. Unfortunately, the onus is on us to keep reminding the government to do its duty,” said Peter Barreto, another seafarer.
