ICSW Seafarers Welfare Programme for South Asia Dr. Suresh
Idnani, Regional Coordinator, South Asia
Slide 2
Overall View of Indian Ports
Slide 3
Formation of National Seafarers Welfare Boards (NSWBs) NSWBs
have been set up in India & Sri Lanka NSWB India and Srilanka
have had several meetings till date where discussions on the
National strategic and action plan for the development and
maintenance of the welfare work and service structure are discussed
Port Welfare Committees (PWCs) are setup in Pakistan and Bangladesh
PWCs have also been set up, and are functional in 15 Major ports.
The PWCs meet on a regular basis Major PWCs: Kandla, Mumbai, JNPT,
Goa, Mangalore, Kochi, Tuticorin, Chennai, Ennore, Vishakapatnam,
Paradip, Haldia, Kolkata, Chittagong & Karachi Chairman, Vice
Chairman, Secretary and Administrator have been appointed on the
NSWBs and PWCs Representatives from Ports, Seafarers Trade Unions,
Ship Owners & Ship Managers, Faith Based Organizations and
Seafarers Volunteers, Seafarers Health workers are on the Boards
and Committees
Slide 4
NSWB Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh The NSWB Sri Lanka
meets regularly and are currently concentrating on enhancing Ship
Visiting in Colombo harbour with the recently disbursed grant. They
have forwarded a proposal for upgrading their welfare centre in
Colombo. This is under consideration Pakistan does have a PWC and
representatives did attend the 5 th RWC in Goa in June 2008. It is
hopeful that they will be able to initiate seafarers welfare
initiatives in 2010, however due to political uncertainties further
progress in this matter is hampered. A ship visitor has been
trained in Colombo in 2009 Bangladesh PWC Chittagong is in place;
They are likely to initiate ship visiting and drop in centre in
2010
Slide 5
Slide 6
Development of Facilities and Services Capital Projects:
Colombo, Vishakapatnam, Chennai, Nhava Sheva, Kolkata, Karachi and
Chittagong Ship Visitors Vehicle Proposal: Kandla, Tuticorin,
Mumbai, Kochi, Ennore, Vishakapatnam, Kakinada, Paradip, Haldia,
Kolkatta, Colombo, Chittagong & Karachi Funding and Port
Levies: Seafarers Welfare Levy through Voluntary contributions
Colombo To be initiated Kandla, Paradip, Vishakapatnam, Chittagong
Port levy needs Legislative approval in India, efforts are on
Slide 7
Raising Awareness, Advocacy and Communication Raising Awareness
and Advocacy: Promotion of seafaring and its associated welfare
issues, initiated at all national & port levels Communication:
Established networks and equipment to facilitate communication
between welfare agencies in the region and internationally Centers
upgraded with communication facilities: Chennai, Ennore,
Vishakapatnam, Kakinada, Paradip, Tuticorin, Kochi, Mumbai, Colombo
and Kakinada ITF-funded upgraded Seafarers welfare centre run by
Government agencies - not very effective, any future such
initiatives should be re-examined before implementation
Slide 8
Existing Welfare Activities (1/2) MUMBAI: Ship Visiting
programme initiated CALCUTTA: Awaiting disbursement of Grant to
initiate ship visiting and renovation of Nabi Graha CHENNAI:
Seafarers Club upgraded and Ship Visiting initiated PARADIP:
Proposed Seafarers Club funded by Port and Ship Visiting initiated
under the ICSW programme COCHIN: Ship Visiting initiated with
assistance from the programme. Apostleship of the Sea MANGALORE:
Seafarers Centre upgraded by the programme and Ship Visiting
ongoing. Apostleship of the Sea, Mangalore Seafarers Centre GOA:
Capital Grant not utilized despite need for a Seafarers centre due
to apathy of the PWC. The Mission to Seafarers, Stella Maris
Centre, National Seafarers Welfare and Health Institute, Office of
the Regional Co-ordinator of Seafarers Welfare in South Asia
Slide 9
TUTICORIN: Well established MtS centre with a Ship Visiting
programme Vehicle for MtS and AoS funded within the programme.
Apostleship of the Sea (Stella Maris), Tuticorin Seafarers Centre.
Tuticorin Port Mariners and General Staff Union conducts some
seafarers welfare activity. Port Welfare Committee Parish meets 4
times a year members include Port Chairman, Ship Owners and Port
Employees. Flying Angel Seafarers Club located 8 km from port
KAKINADA: Drop in centre and Fresh proposal for Seafarers funded
within the programme, Mission to Seafarers (Centre for Seafarers
Welfare) VIZAG: Seafarers centre run by Sailors society received
assistance to upgrade the centre and a replacement vehicle to
continue Ship Visiting SRI-LANKA: Received assistance to promote
ship visiting and also to refurbish existing seafarers centre
managed by MTS and NSWB-SL PAKISTAN: Ship Visitor Trained but no
progress with sanctioned grants BANGLADESH: Ship visitors trained
and likely to initiate ship visiting and drop in centre Existing
Welfare Activities (1/2)
Slide 10
15 ship visitors were trained in Mumbai in 2006 18 more were
trained in Goa in June 2008 17 more were trained in Kolkata in
December 2008 20 were trained in Chittagong in 2009 16 were trained
in Colombo in 2009 20 were trained in Mumbai in Nov 2009 However,
at an average, training of 3-4 ship visitors at port level, and
sensitization of the stakeholders at port level, needs to be
further pursued Chaplains who have been imparted training to visit
ships in their port towns are being transferred out and replaced by
new chaplains This necessitates further training of the new
chaplains to become ship visitors Two SWVC are being planned for
2010 Kochi & Kandla Ship Visiting
Slide 11
Training Upgrading of Skills: Seafarers attain higher job
qualification and be able to sustain when they do not have jobs out
at sea for whatever reasons Education and Distance Learning
Training - CPC sensitization of port authorities: ILO MLC, CPC,
Security and obligation to seafarers and ship visitors Training of
Ship Visitors and Seafarers volunteers to deliver Health promotion
and preventive aspects to seafarers Training of more ship
visitors
Slide 12
A comprehensive maritime health system consists of the
following Fit crew Safe and healthy work Good living conditions and
diet Emergency treatment at sea training, equipment, medical guide,
medical advice Treatment and rehabilitation onshore Maintenance of
health and well-being
Slide 13
ISCW aims to Provide information relating to the primary health
issues affecting seafarers Provide health information of relevance
to seafarers welfare practitioners Conduct health training of
welfare workers for application to ship visiting and seafarers
Slide 14
ILO MLC Seminar Goa, June 2008
Slide 15
Conclusions of the ILO MLC Seminar - Goa, June 2008 Calls upon
the Governments of India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan to
work towards provision of Seafarers welfare services in ports
Initiatives of the Welfare Boards to charge a levy on ships so as
to as sustain welfare services to seafarers Requests to ensure the
correct application of the ISPS code Requests to ensures easy
access to medical services for seafarers in accordance with the
provisions for the same in the MLC Requests Maritime
Administrations and Stakeholders to support, supplement and
implement ongoing initiatives of welfare organizations to develop
and upgrade welfare services for seafarers in ports in accordance
with the provisions of ILO MLC
Slide 16
Services being provided to visiting seafarers in South Asia
Ship visiting services on board in several ports in South Asia
Religious observances and personal counseling Facilities for
communication with families Transport at moderate prices available
at any reasonable time Entertainment and visit facilities
Distribution of SHIP brochures written in English Providing access
to medical services as required Providing access to consular and
legal services Necessary and proper treatment for sickness and
injuries
Slide 17
The programme was largely successful - here are some key
highlights NSWBs, PWCs, RWC well established and meet regularly
Advocacy and networking good and effective Conducting International
and National Conferences, Workshops and Seminars Information on the
ICSW programme has been published in various leading maritime
newspapers and magazines. Interest has been generated on the
implementation of this programme Ship Visitors trained 6 SWVC
courses conducted in South Asia Multi-faith approach to provision
of seafarers welfare in the region Seafarers Unions work together
towards Seafarers Welfare
Slide 18
However, solutions to some of the challenges need to be sought
Challenges Sustenance of the programme Structure in place - needs
follow up action Disbursement of sanctioned grants. Motivating Port
Authorities to address ISPS correctly Seafarers and ship Visitors
Motivating SA countries to start exploring early ratification of
MLC 2006 Need to improve skill, knowledge and upgrade the knowledge
of the committee to the government bodies and decision makers of
each country A constitution for the RWC committee of each country
member in order to give guidelines for process, activities and
transparency Finding solutions and implementing these
