MARGAO
Goan seafarers on Sunday made a fervent plea to Union Ayush Minister Shripad Naik to sanction Covid-19 vaccination for the seafarers at the Mormugao Port Trust facility/hospital.
Seeking intervention of the Union Minister, who represents North Goa in Parliament, the Goan Seamen Association of India (GSAI) appealed to Naik to get the centre as well as the state government to allot/sanction at least 10,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccine for Goan seafarers.
GSAI president Frank Viegas said he has attached the directive issued by the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways wherein the Shipping Ministry has advised that all the 12 major ports of India, which includes Mormugao Port Trust, should commence vaccination of seafarers on priority basis.
Citing a number of reasons to vaccinate the Goan seafarers, Viegas said the Goan seafarers will end up losing precious jobs as shipping companies have already started hiring Chinese, Indonesian and Bangladeshi seafarers who have been vaccinated.
The GSAI has also attached for the perusal of the Union Minister a copy of the appeal issued to the Chairman of MPT wherein it has highlighted the numerous challenges that are presently being faced by Goan and Indian seafarers due to the second wave of Covid that has hit the nation badly.
“We humbly request and pray for your kind intervention that through the powers available within the jurisdiction of your ministry to kindly and urgently sanction Covid-19 vaccines for our Goan seafarers. Our Goan shipping community shall always remain obliged to you,” Viegas said in his letter.
