Allegations of misuse of seafarers funds
MARGAO
In the wake of recent allegations of misuse of seafarers funds, the Director General of Shipping (DGS) has issued directions of ship owners associations, shipping companies, ship management companies and to all seafarers unions to examine and confirm a number of issues.
One, whether deductions towards SPF and swF has been made and remitted to the SPFO and SWFS; whether any gratuity contribution has been made and if yes details of contribution made, corresponding fund and modality of accounting and remittance to beneficiaries; whether any deduction has been or is being made from seafarers for contributions provident fund and not being deposited to SPFO; whether any deduction is being made from seafarers for contributions towards welfare fund and not being credited to SWFS and whether there is any collection from seafarers contrary to the rules in force.
Deputy Director General of Shipping Crew Ashish Sinha has said that if any excess deduction has been made contrary to the provisions of MS Act 1958, or any of the DCS MS Notice, Order/Circular, to return the amount back to the seafarers voluntarily under intimation to the Directorate. Further any deduction made from seafarers, wages and not remitted to SPFO/SWFS/gratuity fund agreed in CBA/SEA/AOA be remitted to the concerned fund immediately
The DG Shipping has warned that any deduction made or misappropriated in violation of the provisions of MS Act, 1958, or any of the DGS MS Notice, Order/Circular would entail action under relevant provisions of MS Act, 1958.
The circular stated that FOSMA/MASSA/INSA/ICCSA/or other Association of owners, employers or recruiters, if any, and all shipping companies, who are not members of any Association, the ship Management companies and all seafarer unions to examine their CBA's/SEA/AOA and certify that they do not contain any provision which violates any provision of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 and other rules in force.
