Details
Raju Vernekar
vernekar.raj@gmail.com
“The National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) has launched the “NUSI Saheli Swayam Rojgar Yojana (NSSRY) ” for benefit of women family members of the seafarers to start small scale industry, so as to make them self-reliant.”
“NSSRY was inaugurated by at the hands of BJP MP Poonam Mahajan, on “Seamen’s Unity Day- 2019”, based on the theme “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community”, Member of Parliament, on Wednesday. Angriya Sea Eagle Ltd. Executive Vice Chairman Leena Kamat Prabhu, was the Guest of Honour while Indian Register Of Shipping Surveyor Sonali Banerjee was the Guest Speaker. Hundreds of seafarers and representatives of the shipping fraternity actively participated in the Seamen’s Unity Day Celebrations.”
“Under NSSRY, the beneficiaries will be given actual material and will be provided infrastructure, including equipments to enable them to set up their own unit. The attempt is to make them self-reliant. The family members include a sizable number of widows of the seafarers a spokesman for NSUI said.”
“On the occasion the financial assistance was provided to the children of seafarers scoring the highest marks in the SSC 2019 examination pan India under the “NUSI Scholar” scheme. The recipients included: Muhammed Nasil( son of Naushad Thakkot Habeeb (CDC no. MUM99489), Gunjanben Harikumar (daughter of Harishkumar Kalidas Tandel (CDC no. MUM100577) and Ashwini K.V.( daughter of Karingattu V Ashokan (CDC no. MUM77899).”
“The seafarers are the persons employed by the ship owners to do service on board commercial ships at sea. They are categorised as Merchant Navy. They take part in the ship’s operation and maintenance as well as the provisioning of those on board. They handle the job such as repair and maintenance, cleaning and catering etc. They are In India they are organised under NUSI.”
At present very few lndian women seafarers joining the Merchant Navy. The global
supply of seafarers available for service on ships is estimated at 16.41 lakh. Of these only two per cent are women. ln lndia the representation of women is one percent.
“As per Merchant Shipping Notice No. 7/2019, the ship owners are required to include in their company policy statement, that there will, be no discrimination based on gender in employment, wages and promotions, and are required to include this in the recruitment procedure. They are also required to provide wages as per qualification and experience on gender neutral basis and are also required to provide equal promotion opportunity on the basis of performance.”
“The Maritime Labour Convention 2006 of International Labour Organisation (ILO) stipulates the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and stipulated priority in taking measures to promote career opportunities for women seafarers. Besides the resolution 14 of the international Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers (STCW) appeals for increase in participation of women in maritime sector, including sea faring.”
“In the meanwhile the Director General of Shipping, Mumbai has blacklisted following companies for violation of the provisions of Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 Merchant Shipping. (Maritime Labour) Rules 2016 and Merchant shipping(Recruitment & Placement of Seafarers License( R & P SL) Rules,2016. They have also been blocked in the DGS e-Governance database. The charges include: non-settlement of seafarers wages and taking remuneration for employment of seafarers etc. M/s Shah Al Arab Marine Agency, UAE, M/s Alco Shipping Services LLC, Ajman, Dubai, M/s Triton Ship Management & Offshore Private Limited, Navi Mumbai and M/s Navik Shipping Pvt. Ltd., Delhi. The ships which have been banned are : M.T. Enjaz -1, M.T. Menjaz-2, M,T. Dharma, M V Azab, M.V, Sharjah Moon, MT Ocean Prestige, M.T. Ocean Grace and MT Ajwa.”
