MARGAO
The government has sought to bring an amendment to the Seamen’s Provident Fund Act, 1966 in order to broaden the ambit of the application of the Act to foreign flagged ships employing Indian seafarers.
The government has invited comments/ suggestions from the stakeholders to the draft Seamen’s Provident Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2023 between February 21 to March 24.
Amongst other things, the Bill seeks to broaden the ambit of the application of the Act to foreign flagged ships employing Indian seafarers, which will enable amendment to the existing Seamen Provident Fund Scheme.
The draft Bill seeks to introduce the Seafarers
Annuity Fund Scheme and Seafarers Gratuity Fund Scheme for Indian seafarers, to be administered by the Seamen’s Provident Fund Organisation.
Besides a host of other incidental and related Amendments proposed in the Bill, the name of the Act shall also be amended and the new name proposed to be given is ‘Seafarers’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1966.
The stakeholders have been requested to send their comments/ suggestions to the Directorate General of Shipping, GoI, Mumbai and Commissioner, SPFO, Mumbai by 24.03.23.
Welcoming the draft Bill, the Goan Seamen Association of India (GSAI) President Frank Viegas pointed out that the Association had demanded that the Union government consider provident fund, gratuity and pension for all ranks of seafarers serving on Indian and foreign flagship of all types that is cruise ships or merchant navy.
In a representation to Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, the GSAI had made a plea to consider provident fund, gratuity and pension to all ranks of seafarers working on Indian and foreign flagships.
“Seafarers perform one of the toughest jobs in the world by making difficult sacrifices and putting in real hard work. As the world is gradually becoming aware of the hard work mariners perform on ships, the difficult financial condition of the industry and the rapidly changing norms and regulations compounded by higher expectations than normal and high levels of stress are forcing many seafarers into distress condition,” the GSAI has mentioned in the representation.
Frank said the Association had expressed concern that the seafarers should be provided with these facilities with due respect for their contribution towards the maritime industry so that they retire happily after years of services.
