$8 deductions: Goa seamen seek probe against National Union of Seafarers of India for embezzlement of funds

Goa seamen seek probe against NUSI for embezzlement of funds
06 Mar 2018 https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa-News/Goa-seamen-seek-probe-against-NUSI-for...

Point out that no account given of $ 8 deductions of around 50,000 seamen; The association also seeks withdrawal of the rule making SSCE certificate compulsory for Indian CDC

MARGAO: The Goa Seamen Association of India (GSAI) on Monday demanded that the government forthwith withdraw the rule making SSCE certificate compulsory for Indian CDC and also demanded a thorough probe in the functioning of the National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI), which they alleged is cheating seamen and collecting money amounting to crores of rupees from them.

At a special meeting convened on Monday, the seafarers pointed out that there are many Goans who have been working on board the ship for years without having passed their SSC examination and pointed out that certain occupations on the cruise line like in the kitchen or steward does not require qualification and what is required is only fluency in English and proficiency in the work.

“When our company does not ask for qualifications, why is the government that is unable to provide employment to us, taking such decision that will disqualify us from the very jobs that we have,” asked the seamen.

They pointed out that many of them are scheduled to leave for their jobs but are very sure whether they will be able to board the ship as they do not have the continuous discharge certificate (CDC) and are not sure of getting it.

NRI Affairs Director Shamsundar Parab, who was present for the meeting, urged the seamen to give him a representation so that he could raise the matter with the Director General of Shipping. “For the last one-and-a- half month I have been asking for a representation but did not receive any as yet,” he said.

However, Dixon Vaz spokesman of GSAI clarified that they had made the representation to the Chief Minister who had asked the Captain of Ports to look into the matter and the captain of ports in turn has deputed his deputy Prem Lal to deal with them.

“We have submitted the representation to the Captain of Ports but shall submit another one to the NRI director on Wednesday,” he said.

While asserting that around 1000 Goan seamen will be affected with the implementation of this new rule that was originally introduced in 2016, GSAI President Franklin D’Costa disclosed that he has received representations from only 22 seamen as on date.

Incidentally, the Union Government had made SSCE certificate compulsory for Indian CDC in 2016. However, following a representation from various seamen it was relaxed for six months and is enforced presently.

Dixon disclosed that the Goa delegation that had gone to meet Union Minister Nitin Gadkari over the mining issue, were also scheduled to discuss about their problem and convince him to drop the new rule.

Dixon also demanded a thorough probe into the functioning of NUSI even as seamen present for the meeting demanded that NUSI be brought under the purview of the Right to Information Act.

Dixon pointed out that every month $ 8 of the seamen’s salary is deducted and diverted to NUSI, however, what happens to this amount is not known, he said.

“NUSI is getting $ 8 that is being deducted every month from the salary of around 50,000 seamen and this when converted to Indian rupees turns out to crores,” he said, while pointing out that NUSI does not give any of the compensation it is supposed to give.

“There is no amount paid for children’s education or any other and there is a big scam in the way the money is used,” he said adding that the Rs. 40,000 paid to widows is a pittance. Besides, he said the hospital that was run by NUSI should be restarted as it was giving relief to the seamen and their families.