The National Union of Seafarers (NUSI) in India announced that they are to propose to the Indian Prime Minister’s Office that seafarers have voting rights onboard ships, gratuity fund, and other welfare initiatives for Indian seafarers.
In a Facebook post, the Union explained that the seafaring community has donated substantially to the PM Cares find and other welfare initiatives.
Ahead of the International Day of Seafarers (June 25) they highlighted that Merchant Navy staff is at the second life of defence, keeping the country’s economy floating and helping during wartime and natural calamities.
Therefore, in a petition sent to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, the Union asks that Indian seafarers onboard vessels have voting rights during the General and State Elections.
In the meantime, they also proposed that the Government provide “voting rights” to onboard seafarers during the General and state Assembly polls.
The General Secretary of NUSI, Abdulgani Y Serang, commented that
If NRIs can vote, the procedures should be enacted to ensure that seafarers who are away on high seas can also vote during the state and national elections.
The General Secretary noted that Indian seafafers already acquire a Statutory Provident Fund scheme passed in the Parliamentary bill of Seamens’ Provident Fund Act, 1966, which stated that gratuity has been enforced since June 1, 1964. However, it has been stated that not all seafarers get gratuity. It is paid for by shipowners, even though conventional legislation on the matter was never legislated, leaving it to collective bargaining.
Concluding, the Union also demanded Contributory Annuity Fund Scheme (CAFS) which has been slandering in bureaucratic processes for nearly two decades now.
