Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept 04: National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) Branch Representative for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Dharvinder Ram, has raised concerns over the prolonged delay in implementation of revised wages for seafarers working under the Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS), stating that the issue has placed a serious financial burden on seafarers and their families.
Addressing a press conference, Mr. Ram said the objective was to create awareness among Islanders about the significant role played by seafarers in maintaining connectivity, supply chain and livelihood between the Islands and the mainland, as well as passenger and cargo movement within the Islands. He said seafarers continue to operate the lifeline services of the Islands, including during challenging situations such as natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, when several other modes of transportation were severely affected.
According to the details shared at the press conference, the National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI), which has been declared the majority union for negotiations concerning the terms and conditions of employment and wages of seafarers deployed on Administration-owned and operated vessels, had completed negotiations with the Wage Negotiation Committee of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration in August 2024. The revised wage settlement was subsequently processed by the Administration and, following approval at the appropriate level including the Lieutenant Governor, the file was forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs for further approval.
Mr. Ram said the wage revision remains pending for different periods in the three sectors. The revised wages have been pending from April 1, 2012 for the Inter-Island Sector, April 1, 2018 for the Foreshore Sector and April 1, 2019 for the Mainland-Island Sector. He said the matter was taken up with the Administration as early as 2020, while the COVID-19 pandemic subsequently affected the process. He further stated that NUSI approached the High Court over the matter, following which the union was declared the majority union and the process of negotiations eventually moved forward.
As per the information shared, the finalised settlement has already been approved by the competent authorities of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration and was sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs in October 2025. Mr. Ram claimed that the matter is presently awaiting further approval at the Ministry of Home, resulting in continued uncertainty for the seafarers awaiting implementation of the revised wages.
He said the prolonged delay has affected families, particularly in meeting expenses related to children’s education, medical treatment, marriages and other domestic emergencies. He also pointed out that Indian seafarers have been designated as “Key Workers” under the Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1981, highlighting their role in maintaining essential services.
Mr. Ram also raised concerns regarding compliance with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006. He alleged that vessels operated by the Administration do not presently have valid Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA), Seafarers’ Employment Agreements (SEA) or wage agreements reflecting the revised terms, and questioned the action being taken by the concerned Maritime Mercantile Department (MMD) authorities during MLC inspections and audits. He said NUSI has already raised the matter with concerned authorities and is considering further legal action if the issue remains unresolved.
Talking to the media, Mrs. Kusum Thakur, who represented the families of seafarers at the press conference, said the prolonged delay in wage revision was creating difficulties for families in managing education, healthcare and other essential expenses. She said seafarers often have to leave behind their wives, children and elderly parents for prolonged periods to serve on ships and are unable to take up regular side employment because of the nature of their duty. She urged the Administration to expedite the approval and implementation of the pending wage revision, saying that seafarers’ families were also bearing the consequences of the delay.
Mr. Ram said seafarers were unable to regularly participate in protests or sit-ins because they are required to remain on board vessels for their duties. He said their families may therefore have to raise their concerns on their behalf. He appealed to the Administration to expedite the pending approval and implement the revised wages at the earliest, particularly before the upcoming festive season.
He further warned that if the issue continues to remain unresolved, the union may consider legal and other democratic measures, including approaching the High Court against the authorities responsible for issuing Declaration of Maritime Labour Convention without confirming VALID CBA/SEA available on board vessels of administration and dodging from action as per MLC 2096. He appealed to the Administration and concerned authorities to take the matter seriousl
