Members of ISWAN India’s Programme Steering Group met in Mumbai on 27 September to strategise and discuss the programme’s latest work for the welfare of Indian seafarers and their families.
Chaired by ISWAN Trustee Michael Pinto, the meeting was attended by fellow ISWAN Trustees Deepak Shetty and Dr Suresh Idnani along with representatives from:
- Directorate General of Shipping (DGS)
- Maritime Association of Shipowners, Ship Managers and Agents (MASSA)
- Foreign Owners Representatives and Ship Managers Association (FOSMA)
- Maritime Awareness Program Society (MAPS)
- National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI)
- Maritime Union of India (MUI)
- Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI)
- Women's International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA) India
- Sailors’ Society
- Mission to Seafarers
Chirag Bahri, ISWAN’s Regional Director, presented a report on ISWAN India’s current projects and programmes, including its campaign against non-registered crewing agents. ISWAN has also been working with stakeholders to encourage ports to establish Port Welfare Committees in India as per the MLC 2006, for which a committee has been set up by the DGS.
The members deliberated on a draft proposal for the Seafarers’ Welfare Fund Society (SWFS) regarding welfare schemes that can provide monetary and other useful support to seafarers or their families. The meeting also addressed the mental health of seafarers, what steps have been taken so far and what more can be done to sensitise seafarers on the subject. The members were briefed on the ISWAN’s Good Mental Health Guides, which some shipping companies have already placed on board for seafarers to read in their free time.
ISWAN India would like to express its gratitude to MASSA for hosting the meeting at their board room and to all the members for their valuable guidance to the programme.
