Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 29 September 2021
Mr. Liju Thankachan, General Secretary, Seafarers Confederation of India (SCI) speaking to Nicobar Times over the phone told: “Sailors are being Cold Murdered”. Mr. Liju was speaking to Nicobar Times regarding the Non-Payment of Salaries to the Merchant Navy Officers manning foreshore sector vessels owned by the Directorate of Shipping Services, A & N Administration since July 2021.
Mr. Liju has written a letter to the Chief Secretary, A & N Administration, Secretariat, Port Blair, The Secretary (Shipping), A & N Administration, Port Blair, The Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman District and to Mr. Bebanjan Nandi (R.D.G.M), Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. informing that the union will stage a dharna in front of the Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. office at Delanipur, Port Blair on 06/10/2021 if the payment of wages is not made within 07 days from the date of receipt of his letter.
Mr. Liju in his letter has mentioned that the officers serving onboard Mainland Sector Vessels (FG), Inter-Island Coastal Vessels are getting their wages regularly along with the messing money. He added that SCI Ltd. has adopted step-motherly treatment towards the officers serving onboard foreshore sector vessels.
Mr. Liju mentioned in his letter that the issue has been taken up with the Director of Shipping Services, A & N Administration, the Shipping Corporation of India Ltd., Delanipur, Port Blair as well as Surveyor In-Charge MMD, Port Blair vide the Union’s letter. He added that the issue has also been taken up with the Assistant Labour Commissioner, A & N Administration, Port Blair.
The letter further mentions that the Assistant Labour Commissioner has taken up the issue with the Regional Manager, Shipping Corporation of India, Port Blair on 25/08/2021, but nothing has been done yet with regards to the issue.