Sarthak Kanjilall
Port Blair, August 19: The Branch Representative of National Union of Seafarers of India, Mr. Dharvinder Ram has threatened the Directorate of Shipping Services and Shipping Corporation of India of filing litigation against them if the on-duty Corona affected seafarers, who were issued the sign-off status are not considered as Corona Warriors and are not paid with the entire wage benefits according to their agreement.
In a mail addressed to the senior officers of Directorate of Shipping Services and Shipping Corporation of India, Mr. Ram stated that the Seafarers did not bring the infection from shore.
“The infection was brought on board by the passengers, workshop crew, cleaning workers, Port labors, provision suppliers, et cetera. due to non-compliance with SOPs and DG Shipping guidelines, the Seafarers have sacrificed their family life and risked their lives considering as professional hazard, for operating passenger, transshipment, which is the lifeline of Andaman and Nicobar Islands,” Mr. Ram stated.
