MARGAO
The Goan Seamen Association of India has extended its support to the Retired Merchant Navy Seafarers Association of India in respect of the resumption of the retired pension scheme and health benefits for seafarers and their families.
While acknowledging these demands, the GSAI President Frank Viegas said the seafarers from Goa supported the cause of the retired seafarers.
The RMNSAI has raised a host of demands, including pension and medical benefits for all Merchant Navy retired seafarers; pension and medical benefits for the widows of retired seafarers and Seafarers Welfare Fund Society ( SWFS) should do Welfare by starting pension scheme for Retired seafarers.
Viegas said the GSAI staged the protest in a peaceful manner with its retired seafarers and widows outside its office at Madel-Margao and supported the cause to show solidarity and support to RMNSAI.
He said the protests have been held all over India for the cause of the retired seafarers and widows for quite some time now. “The seafarers are the key workers but the government of India to date has not shown any interest in considering our demands and hasn’t resumed the pension scheme or health benefits nor gave any indication of resuming the scheme,” he said.
GSAI has appealed to PM Modi to ensure that the benefits are provided to the right persons, employed in the shipping industry.
