ICSW Seafarers’ Welfare Programme for South Asia Dr. Suresh Idnani, Regional Coordinator, South Asia

Overall View of Indian Ports

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

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 It is hopeful that they will be able to initiate seafarer’s 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

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

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

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

 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)

 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

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

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

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

ILO MLC Seminar – Goa, June 2008

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

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

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

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…

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