The Maritime Union of India (MUI), which represents Indian officers working on board ships, has threatened to launch protest actions including dharna and hunger strike by seafarers if the issue is not resolved.
The MUI’s stand on denial of shore leave to seafarers is backed by the Maritime Association of Shipowners Shipmanagers and Agents (MASSA) and the Foreign Owners Representatives and Ship Managers Association (FOSMA).
Shore leave is the period during which a seafarer is permitted to take leave from the ship on which he is serving, while it is docked in a port, after an exhaustive voyage from the previous port.
Shore leave is a fundamental right of seafarers worldwide.
The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), adopted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 2006, provides that seafarers shall be granted shore leave to benefit their health and well-being and ensure that shore-based welfare facilities, where they exist, are easily accessible. The importance of granting efficient access to shore facilities and shore leave for the well-being of seafarers is also recognized under ILO Conventions on seafarers’ identity documents.
The MLC was ratified by India in 2015.
It is therefore very shocking when Indian seafarers are not permitted to go ashore in seaports of their own country, Capt Tushar Pradhan, MUI, said at a media conference in Mumbai on Friday.
Seafarers working on merchant ships face several challenges and hardships by virtue of their profession that entails tenure on board stretching months.
Working away from their families for months at a stretch, unpredictable weather, and sea conditions, delays due to bad weather, change of routes by owner/charter, all have a direct impact on the mental and physical wellbeing, the MUI said.
“Denial of shore leave affects the seafarers’ mindset, health and wellbeing. This may affect their performance and morale and may lead to undesirable incidences on board and at sea. Acute boredom, mental and physical fatigue, are dangerous states of mind and body, which can lead to impairment of concentration, frustration, potentially leading to accidents to self, the ship, cargo and the environment,” the MUI stated.
“They need to go ashore for a few hours, to purchase necessities, meet family and friends, use shore facilities, and to refresh their mindsets. Seafarers are social beings and need to be occasionally in the company of others, especially after long and difficult sea voyages,” the Union said.
“Passengers from cruise vessels are granted shore leave. Further, if passengers travelling by air are permitted to enter the country and go ashore, why are bona fide Indian seafarers serving on merchant ships holding valid Seafarers Identity Document (SID), issued by the Government of India, denied the opportunity of stepping ashore,” they asked.
Confining seafarers on board when their ships are in ports would be akin to putting them under house arrest.
“We therefore feel that grave injustice is done to innocent seafarers for no fault of theirs. Not permitting them to visit ashore is only leading to frustration, loss of morale. This unhealthy practice has a deadly effect on the psychological and physical condition and entire families have suffered because of their dear ones suffering in this manner. This is not at all a healthy state of affairs,” the MUI said.
Lack of shore leave, and a refreshed mind set have caused numerous accidents due to fatigue; and in some cases, the seafarers have gone into depression, have feelings of worthlessness and may have even taken a serious toll on his/her life. “This is a grave issue which needs to be addressed at all possible levels. There is no reason why a logical solution cannot be implemented, within the framework of regulations, including the security aspect,” the MUI added.
