Govt committed to protecting seafarers’ interests: Official

Eighty-one Indian sailors are at present incarcerated in foreign jails on various allegations, including fraud and ship jumping, and efforts are underway to protect their rights and ensure that they get justice swiftly, delegates at a seminar on “Seafarers’ Rights and Employment” pointed out here today.

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Deputy Director General of Shipping, Captain (Dr) Daniel Joseph emphasised that protecting the rights and professional interests of merchant navy seafarers is the priority of the government’s Directorate General of Shipping.

He stated that now seafarers from Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh will find it easier to bring their concerns and rights to the government’s attention as a significant initiative had been launched in Chandigarh.

Seafarers from north India often had to depend on offices located in Mumbai or Delhi to voice their concerns, making the process lengthy and complex. Stating that the government was committed to addressing the concerns of seafarers and providing resolutions, Capt Joseph added that the Directorate General of Shipping has been coordinating with government departments to resolve their issues.

Instances of unfair treatment, growing exploitation by fraudulent agents, particularly in rural areas where jobseekers for the merchant navy are scammed, improved working conditions, enhanced safety measures while working at sea and expanded healthcare facilities for long-term support were among issues raised by the seafarers.