Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Aug 17: The National Union of Seafarers of India, Andaman and Nicobar Unit has served a seven days notice of agitation and protest.
“If no fruitful action is undertaken to ensure Staffs & Officer In-charge of Crew Cell abide by the directions approved in files, all Seafarers onboard and on shore shall undertake Indefinite Hunger Strike from 7 days from today. NUSI being a responsible Trade Union regret for such action but we are left with no other options,” a letter submitted to Lt. Governor, ANI and Senior Officials of Andaman and Nicobar Administration by NUSI mentioned.
The NUSI and Permanent Company Roster Seafarers have been repeatedly communicating their grievances pertaining to loss of employment and livelihood of Seafarers and their family arising due to decommissioning of vessel MV Nancowry.
“Under the provisions of RTI Act, this Union has received documents pertaining to various approvals and concerns arising post decommissioning of vessel MV Nancowry. On careful examination of the documents particularly concerns pertaining to employment of Seafarers onboard other vessels of A & N Administration, it was observed that there is clear sanction / approval of administration & your Excellency. The approval clearly stipulates –Surplus Crew of Mainland Sector shall be engaged on other sector vessels where vacancies are available. This may however be done by protecting their Mainland Sector wages–” the letter signed by Mr. Dharvinder Ram, Branch Representative of NUSI in Andaman added.
He added that NUSI appreciates the remedy provided to ensure timely employment and wage protection of Seafarers to ensure nil loss to Seafarers and their families whilst decommissioning of vessel MV Nancowry.
But, he mentioned that NUSI also condemns that such approval has not been abided and exercised by the Staffs & Officer In-charge of Crew Cell.
