Indian seafarers and their families stand to benefit from two new welfare schemes in 2010, thanks to an initiative by an ITF-affiliated seafarers’ union.

The two schemes, initiated by the National Union of Seafarers of India
(NUSI), will provide much needed financial help and assistance to
seafarers and their families and will start operating on 1 January
2010. One of the schemes will provide ratings with the opportunity to
become officers with the help of interest free loans of up to Rs
250,000 (US$5,363); the other will make available scholarships for
children from seafarers’ families, including those of retired seafarers.

The union announced the launch of these welfare activities on 6
November on Seamen’s Unity day, an annual event since 1963 that
celebrates the merger of seafarers’ unions to form the NUSI. The event
was attended by shipping industry and maritime union dignitaries who
expressed support for the plans.

“This initiative by NUSI is intended to ease the shortage of officers
by promoting and encouraging ratings, and to give children – in
particular daughters of seafarers – the opportunity to pursue higher
studies. These welfare schemes will not only safeguard the interests of
seafarers and their families, but also the shipping industry as a
whole” said NUSI general secretary Abdulgani Y Serang.

Source: ITF

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