Psychological and emotional helpline started for seafarers and their families

Transcription

1 Psychological and emotional helpline started for seafarers and their families S kill enhancement is extremely important for the seafarers, and National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) is making concerted efforts to ensure that this programme receives top priority by everyone connected with the shipping industry, stressed Mr. Abdulgani Serang, Secretary General of the Union, in an exclusive interview with Maritime Destination. Speaking about the welfare programmes of NUSI for the betterment of the seafarerslives. he stated that it had recently started 'NUSI Sahara', a 24x7 psychological and emotional helpline for the seafarers and their families seeking solace from the emotional turbulence of their daily lives. The Union, he added, was actively involved in improving the life and living standards of not only the seafarers but also their families. It went far beyond the duties and programmes of the usual trade unions and that was the reason, he awarded, for NUSI receiving the coveted ISWAN International Award. Excerpts from the interview Can you brief us about activities of NUSI? As a trade union, NUSI (National Union of Seafarers of India) has always endeavoured to go beyond the usual trade union activities. It is concerned about the welfare and raising the living standards of the seafarers as well as their families. And our efforts towards this end have been recognized by ISWAN (International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network). We were the recipients of the coveted ISWAN International Awards in We were selected as no 1 among 280 organisations worldwide. In this connection it may be mentioned that the aim of ISWAN Awards is to raise the profile of seafarers' welfare across the maritime industry by inviting seafarers to nominate candidates across four categories: Shipping Companies, Ports, Seafarer Centres and individuals. Winners are selected by an esteemed panel of judges made up of experts who are dedicated to improving the lives of seafarers. So, one can say that it was 'achhe din' for NUSI? Well, yes, and our ache din are continuing. Our Union, through its Trust, ventured into a number of welfare activities like scholarship and educational grants for children of seafarers, medical facilities for seafarers (serving as well as retired) and their families, etc. This year we started NUSI Sahara, a free psychological and emotional helpline for seafarers and their families, on the eve of International Women's Day. It

2 MARITIMEDESTINATION. April.2018., was inaugurated by Dr. Malini Shankar, Director General of Shipping. Hundreds of seafarers and their family members have taken advantage of this 24x7 toll free helpline. Professional counselors, at the other end of the line, guide the help seekers in solving their problems effectively. NUSI also has a home for senior seafarers at Lonavala, which was started in We house all those who have no one to look after them at this resort. In fact we also perform the last rites for these seafarers. That is the reason why NUSI's tagline is: "From mother's womb to tomb - and sometimes beyond." Since we extend our welfare schemes to the seafarers' family, so we are connected with the possible future seafarer, even before he or she is born! And, as our benefits to his wife and children, sometimes, continues, on par, even after his death we use the term "beyond" his death. Are these schemes only for the Ratings or do you extend these even to the officers? NUSI offers it only for the Ratings and Petty Officers. MUI (Maritime Union of India) has it for the officers. But the NUSI SAHARA psychological counselling is available to the officers also. It is believed that the Union has friendly relations with the industry. Is this beneficial for the seafarers? I believe that co-ordination is always beneficial for both parties. I think it is a blessing that the shipping industry is having such a friendly and harmonious environment. This is not seen in several other industries. The credit for collective bargaining mechanism in the industry goes primarily to NUSI, MUI and other stakeholders who constantly exhibit a high level of maturity when dealing with essential, delicate issues. Both sides have to be accommodating. NUSI has, as a responsible union, had negotiations with both - Indian as well as foreign flying ship owners - and tackled most of the problems successfully to the satisfaction of both the parties. This creates a win-win situation for both. The industry, which is not exploited, is able to grow and thrive and thus provide gainful employment to the seafarers. Our interaction with the ship owner as well as the maritime administration and the government of India has been very fruitful. This, in turn has also benefitted the seafarers. Our cordial relations, with all the parties concerned, have enabled NUSI to actively ind ulge in services which are beneficial for the seafarers. I am happy to inform you that we have our own training institute, a Holiday Home as well as a home for seafarers etc. I don't think any other sector can say with pride of a union which does so much for its members. TRAINING INSTITUTES Can you brief us about your training institutes? We have two institutes, namely, the NUS I Maritime Academy in Goa and the NUS I Offshore Training Institute in Panvel. Besides the training provided at these two institutes, we also conduct skill enhancement programmes for existing seafarers as there is a constant need for upgrading their skills, in order to assure quality and retention of their jobs. Apart from upgrading for the pre-sea and STeW courses we also provide value added courses for pump men, fitter-welders, deck skill enhancement, besides conducting classes to improve their English language and communication skills. How many berths do you have for pre-sea training? We have about 200 seats for catering and general purpose. We don't have any seats for cadets.

3 .. MARITIME DESTINATION. April ~ Since there are already so many institutes what was the necessity of NUSI to enter this field? should, therefore, extend support to universities or institutes who are focusing on this subject. NUSI is one of the pioneers in the field. I believe ours was one of the first private institutes, when it opened in There have been several demands made to the government. Have any of them been met? As a Union, we entered the arena to provide support to the seafarer. I don't think there is any other union involved in training the members of their fraternity to make them serve the industry better. NUSI is involved not only in training but also in many other activities which will improve the life of a seafarer. As far as training is concerned, your fee is on par with the other institutes? No. Our fees are highly subsidized. I believe it is about 40% lower than the other institutes. Also, if a son of a seaman takes training then, after training, we give him a grant of Rs. 50,000. Several institutes allege that they face problems from the shipping companies as well as administration. Do you also face problems, particularly when some new guidelines are introduced? Introduction of new rules and regulations normally brings new focus to different segments of the industry. These issues can be solved amicably as the stakeholders views are taken by DGS. As far as our institutes are concerned we don't face any problems. As a union, the only issue we have is that we feel that more practical training should be implemented in the courses. But now this issue is also likely to diminish as the DG Shipping has now introduced some new guidelines recommending more practical training in the 6 months' course. In this connection, I may mention that the new requirements of the STeW need a change in the educational pattern, with more emphasis on practical training. What are the issues that NUSI would like the government to address? NUSI, as a stakeholder in the progress and prosperity of the shipping industry, feels that skill enhancement of the seafarers should become a priority. We, as a union and as a part of the maritime fraternity are doing our little bit but this requires to be done on a pan India basis. The government Well, I think the government has been very receptive to issues put before it for humanitarian welfare. Take the case of income tax issue which was taken up by NUS I and MUI. The response has been positive, though it has not been solved completely as we want a total 100% income tax exemption. E-MIGRATION What is your opinion about e-migration? It is a new regulation whereby seafarers who have secured placement through a recruiting agent, not registered with or licensed by India's maritime regulator, will not be allowed to leave the country. The DGS has done this to prevent desperate seafarers from seeking the services of recruitment and placement service (RPS) touts,' who leave them to fend for themselves during distress. The DGS has developed an e-migrate software for immigration of Indian seafarers after consulting the Protector of Emigrants (PoE) attached to the Ministry of External Affairs and the stakeholders.

4 ., MARlTlMEDESTINATION.April t The rules, for RPSL, enforced under the Merchant Shipping Act by the DG Shipping, provides a mechanism for protection of Indian seafarers (trainees, officers, petty officers and ratings) working on Indian and Foreign flag vessels and the necessary safeguards for their repatriation in the event of their being stranded or during such other exigencies, when the shipowner fails to discharge the duty of repatriating the seafarers to the home port of the seaman. The e-rnigrate software will capture the data of seafarers engaged by local fleet owners on Indian flag ships, through recruitment agents on foreign flag and Indian flag ships, and those hired directly by global fleet owners on foreign flag ships. The data will be filed in the e-rnigrate system by the manning agent or the Indian ship owner or the senior officer before the expected date of departure. The data will then be transmitted online to the Bureau of Immigration. With the above system, only seafarers recruited by Indian ship owners, authorised recruitment and placement agencies and senior officers (master or chief engineer) hired directly by foreign ship owners would be allowed to pass through the immigration check points. The intentions are good but there are still some teething problems which are being seriously addressed. In this connection I may mention that NUSI had been seeking registration of manning agents over the last 25 years. It was only in 2005 that the first positive steps were taken when the registration of placement services was enacted. However, there was no bar or stringent action against those who did not register with the maritime administration. Thus the unlicensed RPSL companies continued with the recruiting process. more and more people to register. Like we have a protector for those going to the Gulf countries, we have RPSL. But it is necessary to point out that there are still many unscrupulous RPSL touts who charge lot of money and they need to be targeted and stringent action should be taken against them. Unfortunately there has also been serious defaulters by Indian shipping companies and registered RPSL also. As I mentioned earlier, it is a good initiative. Three months time has been given to gauge the results of this programme, so we have to wait and watch. I feel that it is a positive step. We were the ones who suggested that those seeking visas as seafarers should go only through registered companies. Like some unscrupulous RPSL, that you have mentioned, there are also some unscrupulous unions, indulging in shady activities. What would you say about this? To minimize the ill effects the emigrant is a good measure. N ow those seeking visas as seafarers have to go through registered RPS. Nobody has the right to charge money for putting a seafarer aboard a ship, be it a union or an individual or an agent. If they are doing that then the law should take its own course and for the law to do this there has to be a proper complaint procedure. As far as the industry is concerned, things are progressing and it will make Do you feel that unions should also be registered under RPSL?

5 MARITIME DESTINATION. April.2018 As unions we are bound to be registered under Trade Union Act. The companies too are registered under the Companies Act then why should shipping companies be asked to register under RPSL and the unions be exempted? It is not required in the case of unions because there is process of verification by the government by which it identifies which is a majority union. The government, after in-depth scrutiny and verification, has given NUS I the majority union status. NUSI, on its part, is focused on its own activities of upliftment for the seafarers. There are so many unions who force the companies to take people whom they recommend. What should be done about this? If the companies are being coerced and they feel threatened then they should complain to the authorities. If anybody is doing anything that is contrary to the rules or anything unfair then it has to be reported. If people will not report the wrong doings then how will the wrong doers be recognized and punished? WORKING OF THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT Do you find that there has been any change in the new government's attitude as compared to the other governments? As far as seafarers are concerned, I think this government has been very responsive. That is one of the reasons why we have been able to get income tax benefits. NUSI is also among the higher ranking statutory bodies of the Shipping Board and that is the reason why the request for skill enhancement of the seafarers has received a favourable response. I may also mention that there have been occasions when the Ministry of Shipping, in tandem with the ministry of external affairs, has come to the rescue of seafarers stranded out of India. So I would definitely say that this government has been more responsive as far as seafarers are concerned. As far as the shipping companies and the industry is concerned, I believe they would have wanted more liberal rules and regulations than those that have been imposed on them. There is a belief that Ministry of Shipping was introduced during the tenure of Atal Bihari Bajpayee as the Prime Minister. Is this true? No the shipping ministry has been there from the beginning. It was during 1942 that the department of Communications was split into two departments, the Department of Posts and the Department of War Transport. The Department of War Transport included major ports, railways, roads, water transport, petrol rationing and producer gas. The Department of War Transport was renamed as Ministry of Transport & Communication in Under President's order the "Department of Transport, Shipping & Tourism" was placed under" Ministry of Transport and Aviation" which was split into two as the "Ministry of Shipping and Transport" and the" Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation" After various permutations, finally, in 2004 "Ministry of Shipping" and "Ministry of Road Transport and Highways" were merged and renamed as Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways". It had two departments: "Department of Shipping" and "Department of Road transport and Highways". II Who was the first shipping minister? I think it was Raj Bahadur. He was Minister of State for Shipping & Transport from 1957 to 1962.

6 .. MARITIME DESTINATION. April EFFECT OF TECHNOLOGY ON INDUSTRY What are the problems that you foresee due to rapid technological progress in the shipping industry? The main problem would be getting and retaining gainful employment. At NUS I we are trying our best to avoid this situation, and that is the reason why we are making concerted efforts and emphasizing on skill enhancement. At present most of our seafarers - officers as well as ratings - are working on foreign flying ships. We need to tap the abundant resources available in the cruise sector. After Phillipinos, India is number 2 as far as cruise is concerned. In cruise ships there is a big potential. A shipping company having 100 ships might employ 2000 seafarers but a shipping company having 2 cruise ships will employ more than 3000 seafarers. This is where the government of India needs to come in very strongly. At globalmet there was a call for more seafarers on the ships but at the same time the industry is moving towards automation which is going to reduce manpower. So what is the future that you predict? I don't think we have to get apprehensive about this. If we look at our past we find that 50 years ago the number of seafarers on a cargo ship was about Now it has reduced to only 20 but the number of ships has increased. So the demand and supply ratio remains stationery. The demand for seafarers does not decrease. I, for one, am not very apprehensive about automation's adverse effect on the number of seafarers being employed. But it is believed that automation will change the geographical picture. There will be more shore jobs. What is your belief? Each union is striving to get better emoluments for its members. Isn't there any way that the unions' strength could be increased to ensure better bargaining capacity? Yes, I think that shore jobs will increase and there will be less number of seafarers on board the ship. But there is not going to be a drastic change because we are talking about carriage of goods and for that we cannot have just robots. We cannot have drone ships. There is talk of drone ships but these need heavy investments and it will not be worth the money. As an experiment it is okay. Drone ships will never be there on a large scale. Yes automation will be there, which will reduce the number of seafarers on board but there will be no drastic changes. STRENGTH OF UNIONS There is a saying in hindi:}iski Lathi Uski Bhains. If you have the support of your members, you are on a very strong wicket. If you support the members and if, as a union, you are convinced that you are representing your members to the best possible extent then the power is there with you. Some time back there used to be Morchas taken out by unions. Now this does not occur. Is this because they are languishing in their efforts to redress their members' woes?

7 MARITIME DESTINATION. April.2018 No. It is because NUSI has grown to become a power whose voice is, more often than not, heard. The industry and the government have also become more receptive. So NUSI does not have to go on morcha at the drop of a hat. We are recognized as a responsible union. We have our credibility and our people are aware of NUSI's strength. The Maritime administration and the ship owners are aware of our integrity and standing. If there is an occasion for protest and agitation then we will do it. But things are getting solved without us resorting to these methods. Solving the income tax issue was one of our big. achievements and it was solved without resorting to protest march. We had discussions with the Ministry of Shipping, the Ministry of Finance, and met the cabinet minister and the matter was taken seriously by everyone because we are a responsible union. I would say that as far as the seafarers problems are concerned this government is very responsive. NUSFS ACTIVITIES Anything else you would like to add? I would like to highlight the activities of NUSI which the union is engaging in for the betterment of the seafarers. Towards this end we are concentrating on personal skill enhancement and the psychological counseling for our members. NUSI Sahara, our counseling center is open 24x7 to aid the seafarers and their families. They can contact the center on toll free number Expert counselors will advise the caller on various issues. We have tied up with Way Forward, a professional body of counselors, for this. Seafarers who are abroad can contact the counsellor through Skype. Step 1 Download 'Skype' (an internet software application used for communication available on Coogle Play store) Step-2 Open Skype and search for 'NUSI SAHARA' (see NUSI logo) Step-3 Call when Wifi is available and speak to the Counsellor Step-4 You can also Chat with the Counsellor These cases are treated as confidential. The counselors have, so far, spoken and advised over 1500 seafarers and their family members. NUSI Sahara was inaugurated, on international women's day, in March 2017 by DC Shipping, Dr. Malini V. Shankar. Different type of issues like exploitation, sexual harassment, work related stress, anxiety, being away from family, loneliness, etc., are some of the issues that the seafarers are facing and which we are trying to provide them counseling on. What are your future plans? We have just launched NUSI Swaasth class for Yoga. We are planning a CD on yoga which we will distribute to the seafarers. The classes are open to everybody - the seafarers as well as their family members ADVICE TO SEAFARERS Any message for the seafarers and the industry? I would say that the seafarers are doing a very good job but we need to change our mind set at times as far as our attitude is concerned - from the officers to the trainee seafarers. I would say that at every forum seafarers need to upgrade their skills and try to retain their jobs. It is with a lot of difficulty that we are able to interact with the ship owners in the international market and snatch jobs for Indians but there are a few - very few - seafarers because of whom our jobs are getting threatened. The seafarers should become responsible and see that their attitude does not affect their brethren. My advice to them would be that they should be appreciative of the job they have. They should remember that there are several others, waiting on the sidelines, to grab their job. A visit to the seafarers' hostel would convince them of this fact! I!IQ]