“SMEAR CAMPAIGN IS AN ATTEMPT TO DESTABILIZE THE WORKER MOVEMENT AND UNITY OF SEAFARERS,” – FSUI PRESIDENT

 LEGAL ACTION AGAINST SMEAR CAMPAIGN BY EXPELLED MEMBER

The Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) has decided to proceed legally against expelled member Mr. Manoj Yadav for unleashing a smear campaign against it. The Union, which has been taking a hard stance against the shipping industry’s attempts to erode the legal rights of seafarers, had recently become target of many malicious campaigns and false charges. It finally decided not to take things lying down as the attacks were beginning to threaten the working movement itself.

It had come to the notice of FSUI that Mr. Manoj Yadav had been communicating misleading data that were not only false but also malicious, libelous and defamatory. “We know Mr. Manoj Yadav is working at the behest of vested interests who want to weaken us. If we are out of the picture, there will be nobody to question unethical wage agreements that sell out the interests of seafarers or expose  ‘private understanding’ between ship owners and unethical trade unions,” says Mr. P. G. A. Joseph, President,FSUI.

“Based on data provided by Mr. Manoj Yadav, a section of the media has been led to believe that our General Secretary, Mr. Naresh Birwadkar is involved in some kind of scam. He has been alleging that the gratuity of seafarers have been diverted to a trust “owned” by him called ‘Offshore and Home Trade Seamen’s Welfare Trust’ (OHTSWT) instead of depositing it in the Seafarers Welfare Fund Society (SWFS). But what is skillfully omitted is that the Seafarers Welfare Fund Society – the only welfare body that exists for seafarers in India, and something that is equivalent to Provident Fund in on-shore jobs – covers only foreign going registered seamen. It does not cover seafarers working in any other sector and keeps them outside the ambit of any welfare.”

“In a bid to correct this gross omission, the ‘Offshore and Home Trade Seamen’s Welfare Trust’ (OHTSWT) was formed in 2003. Till date, every single rupee collected as gratuity is safely kept in the Trust Fund. As per norms, the accounts are audited and the report is submitted to the charity commissioner’s office every year. It is also pertinent to note that 27 seafarers have been paid their due Gratuity from the OHTSWT fund as on their superannuation, becoming medically unfit, upon death to the legal heir, etc, to utmost satisfaction. At this point, I would also like to convey that it is a matter of pride to us that we have been able to provide this huge service to Indian seafarers, or otherwise their hard earned gratuity would have lost,” explains Mr. Joseph.

“In the current socio-political climate, trade unions, ship owners, financial sector, political class and bureaucracy are all feeding off each other. In the bargain, the rights of individual seafarers are consistently getting eroded. The basic wages paid to seafarers is less than the basic wages paid to class four employees in shore-based jobs.  Allowances like dearness allowance and house rent allowances, which are paid to even contract workers in shore-based jobs are denied to seafarers. In addition to all these, in direct violation of the Merchant Shipping Act, ship owners have started employing seafarers only on contract basis through manning agents. Trade Unions that are supposed to protect interests of seafarers are seen to be signing agreements that benefit ship owners. Under such circumstances, when we stick to our core stance of protecting the rights of seafarers, we become an inconvenience to others, and they resort to all kind of underhand methods to weaken us,” adds Mr. Joseph.

“It is also pertinent to note the timing of the slur campaign. The Supreme Court is expected to come out with its judgment on the setting up of a tribunal to address the grievances of seamen. Vested interests have tried their level best to delay and subvert the formation of the Tribunal, which would have impartially reviewed the illegal wage agreement and given justice to thousands of exploited seafarers. It is in the interest of these parties to weaken us during this time and divert the attention of seafarers,” concludes Mr. Joseph.

About FSUI: Forward Seaman's Union of India (FSUI), formerly known as Forward Block was founded by NetajiSubhash Chandra Bose and was established on the 30th of May, 1954. In 1970 the constitution was amended and the outfit was then renamed FSUI. With over 32,000 members today, FSUI has been relentlessly working for seamen’s rights and has always been in the forefront to champion their cause since the last 60 years. It has branches in Mumbai, Kochi, Port Blair, and other Ports in India and has strong relationship with a number of fraternal panel trade unions in India and outside. It is an organization dedicated to safeguard and take care of the interests of the seafarers. It has also constituted the Offshore and Home Trade Seamen’s Welfare Trust (OHTSWT) that will offer a bevy of benefits and welfare measures for seamen and their families. The trust runs a hospital that provides free treatment to its members and families and is in the process of constructing an old age home that will accommodate one hundred and fifty inmates.