the goan I network
MARGAO
With a group of Indian seafarers stranded in Spain due the delay in transporting them back to India, Goan seafarers have appealed to the government to ensure their safe return.
Though not a single Goan is part of the group of the Indian seafarers stranded in Spain, awaiting the Indian government to lift them and ensure their safe return back home, anxiety rent the air amongst the families of Goan seafarers after the video containing the appeal made by the seafarers went viral on Monday.
Questions are being raised over the fate of the Goan seafarers, who are expected to sign off in the coming days as they would find it difficult to return home in the absence of international flights. “We foresee a similar fate befalling our Goan seafarers if the Indian government does not make prompt arrangements to ensure their return home”, informed former Ambelim Sarpanch Cruz Silva.
He said many a Goan family have been making frantic calls after the video of the Indian seafarers went viral, while demanding that the Goa government to impress upon the Union government to bring them home safely.
Meanwhile, Capt Venzy Viegas, who heads the Aam Aadmi Party Seafarers Cell, has said the International Chamber of Shipping and International Transport Workers’ Federation has sent a joint letter to the heads of United Nations agencies stressing the importance of seafarers in the circulation of global trade and the integrity of supply chains.
“Around one lakh seafarers must change over every month to comply with rules and regulations. Defeating the virus must be the first priority, but global trade, in a safe, secure and environmentally friendly manner must be able to continue, too,” Vegas said while quoting Lim IMO secretary-general.
He recalled that AAP Goa seafarers unit had on March 17 requested for a single-window corridor and one port on the west coast and another on the east coast to all Indian crew to sign off, but still no action has been taken.
“We know Coronavirus pandemic is deadly. But why are seafarers never given importance and why a solution doesn’t come out immediately?” he questioned.
