Savita Kumari & John Wilbert
Port Blair, Jun 28: Mr. Dharvinder Ram, Branch Representative of National Union Seafarers of India (NUSI) has requested for permission to organize silent agitation/protest against alleged harassment being done to Permanent Company Roster Seafarers by Crew cell of Directorate of Shipping Services.
In a letter addressed to the Sub-divisional Magistrate, South Andaman, Mr. Dharvinder Ram the Branch Representative of NUSI pointed out that the Lieutenant Governor, A&N Islands has approved for rendering priority employment of Seafarers in Mainland Island Sector onboard vessels plying in the Inter Island Sector of A & N Administration.
“The said benefit of employment and wages was approved by his Excellency in the policy for decommission of vessel MV Nancowry,” Mr. Ram mentioned.
He further mentioned that from the past several months the Permanent Company Roster Seafarers of Mainland Island Sector are onshore and thriving for employment onboard vessels of Inter Island Sector but the same has been consistently denied by Crew cell of Directorate of Shipping Services and rather granting employment to Contract Crew.
“It is pertinent to mention that in W.P. No.148 of 2019, the Hon’ble High Court has passed direction that the Notice from which the Contract Crew are employed is not in compliance with law and needs to be set aside. Whereas, Crew cell being aware of such mandamus opinion but continuing to grant employment to Contract Crew by depriving employment to Permanent Company Roster Seafarers,” he mentioned.
Mr. Ram added that this Union has made best amicable efforts to overcome the said the act of Crew cell and series of meetings has been organized for settlement.
“That, the higher authorities have directed Crew cell to strictly act in accordance to the direction passed by Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor but they are ignoring such direction continuing their illegal willful act. This Union has also filed complaint against such activities and disclosed the hidden and planned corruption in the Crew cell. Further, keeping in view of the restrictions under Covid 19, Crew cell has capitalized the pandemic situation for extra minting. Being highly aggrieved of such a situation, NUSI finds no other option other than resorting to agitation and protest to secure employment and livelihood of Permanent Company Roster Seafarers and their families of Mainland Island Sector”, Mr. Ram added in his letter.
In his letter the Branch Representative of NUSI requested to grant permission to organize agitation and protest against the harassment being done to Permanent Company Roster Seafarers.
“The agitation shall be done in silent manner without any slogan, unrest and agitation. The Seafarers and Union workers participating in agitation shall maintain COVID19 protocol and behavior.The agitation shall be organized from 09:00 AM to 10:00 AM in front of Secretariat and from 10:30AM to 12:00PM in front of Raj Niwas within fortnight and In case by any means the permission is not granted, NUSI shall not hesitate to file litigation in appropriate court of law against you,” he mentioned.
