MARGAO
Even as a row erupted over the question of vaccination of people from outside the State in Goa, our very Goan seafarers find themselves in a tight spot for want of a Covid jab.
Reason: Without the Covid vaccination, they cannot hope to join the ships with shipping companies insisting on vaccination for the sailors. Sans employment for months now after the first Covid wave hit the shipping industry, especially cruise industry, Goan seafarers have been anxiously waiting to get the Covid jab before they can sail.
The Director General of Shipping had notified a number of Ports across the country where seafarers can go and take the Covid jab. The Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) is one of the centres where seafarers can get vaccinated, but in vain.
Beleaguered seafarers pointed out that vaccination has not started at the MPT till date. And, when The Goan called upon the Nodal officer, whose name was mentioned on the DG Shipping circular, to ascertain whether Covid vaccination has started at the MPT, the doctor expressed her helplessness in speaking to the media. “Sorry, I cannot speak on the vaccination”, was how the nodal officer replied.
When pointed out that she is bound to dish out information given her status as the nodal officer, the doctor replied back “sorry, I cannot speak on that topic”. And, she refused to further speak when asked whether the MPT is in receipt of the vaccines from the Centre or Goa government till date.
With no priority given for the seafarers for Covid vaccination despite the shipping industry terming them as key workers, the Goan seafarers say they find themselves in a crisis, claiming the State and central governments have failed to allot/sanction Covid-19 vaccine to MPT for vaccinating Goan seafarers.
Goan Seamen Association of India (GSAI) President Franky Viegas pointed out as per Directive of Union Ministry for Shipping, Port & Waterways issued on May 7, 2021 all major ports including Mormugao Port Trust were instructed to commence vaccination centre for seafarers. “As per DG Circular No. 10 of 2021 dated 28 April 2021 & Circular No. 15 of 2021 dated 15 May 2021, seafarers above 45 years of age and those below 45 years were advised to utilize the vaccination centres at the 11 major listed ports.
However as per info available, Govt of Goa or Govt of India has not allotted any vaccines to Mormugao Port Trust (MPT)”, he said.
Saying the government has not shown any concern towards Goan seafarers and is lacking complete foresight and there is no pro-activeness on their part, Franky said “it appears that our government has put Goan seafarers “Out of Sight” and “Out of Mind”.
He added: The government has put Goan seafarers and their jobs in complete crisis. Ports such as Mumbai, Cochin, Chennai have already commenced vaccinating seafarers from their respective States.
Our government and authorities very well need to understand that it is the seafarer and the merchant ships which are second line in defence and also keep the national economy and global economy running.
“Without vaccination, our seafarers are facing job loss and loss of income as many companies around the world are asking for vaccinated seafarers in the interest of crew safety”, he said.
“At least prioritise seafarers above 45 years and those who have taken their 1st dose and are lined up to join duty within the next 1-2 months irrespective of new interval set by government between successive doses. Similarly, those in age group of 18-45 years and have taken their 1st dose and are lined up to join ships within the next few months be given priority. To ensure that only genuine seafarers are vaccinated on priority, the respective shipping companies will issue “Sign-On Certificate” generated on DG website to these seafarers.”, he said.
Franky warned that job losses will further aggravate the stress levels, frustration, anxiety leading to further complications such as depression and serious health issues for seafarers including feeling of abandonment.
