MARGAO
Commissioner NRI Affairs, Narendra Sawaikar on Saturday mulled resolution of the Portuguese passport issue via persuasion with the Centre to provide relief to the Indian passport holders.
Speaking at a programme organised by the Director General of Shipping on the theme Seafarers Connect: Hum Saath-Saath Hain at the Ravindra Bbhavan, Margao, Sawaikar said there’s a solution to all issues and the Portuguese passport issue, though in the domain of the Centre, can be resolved through persuasion.
“MLA Venzy Viegas has tabled a resolution in the Goa Legislative Assembly wherein the issue will come up for discussion in the House”, he said.
The NRI Commissioner said that the seafaring community has made a big contribution for the development of Goa’s economy over the years. He said the coming together of the stakeholders will help generate further employment.
The programme was organised in Goa in collaboration with MUI, NUSI and the Goa Seafarers Unions as part of the Seafarers Connect programmes with maritime Coastal States. The Goa Maritime Officers Association (GMOA) and other seafarers organisations supported the progamme in Goa.
Recognizing the contribution of Goan seafarers to economy and progress of the country over the years, Union Minister of State of Port and Shipping Shripad Naik on Saturday said the Centre is working on a plan to provide amenities to the seafaring community across the 13 Ports dotting the country’s coastline, beginning with the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust.
The Minister further said the Shipping Ministry is willing to sit and discuss the problems faced by the seafaring community.
Speaking further, Shripad said Yoga may offer a solution to the mental health issues faced by the seafarers. He further said that the Defense forces, including the Navy is working a mechanism to provide protection to the merchant navy ships Benaulim MLA Capt Venzy Viegas made a strong case for a pension and insurance scheme for the seafaring community.
“Insurance and pension schemes have been implemented in countries, including New Zealand and Australia for sailing seafarers with their contributions and contributions by the state”, he said.
The Benaulim MLA further called for recognizing the fishermen as seafarers, saying the fishermen should be brought into the bracket of seafarers. Saying that seafarers have diversified into various fields, Venzy further said seafarers have entered politics and have made it to the Legislatures.
