BSN Network / Mumbai
Monday, February 22, 2010

Defiant Seafarers’ Unions take charge against Piracy in Gulf of Aden

Seafarers are a worried and battered lot these days, especially those sailing the Gulf of Aden. The reminder to this came on 18th February, when seven crewmembers and Captain of the hijacked ship “Al- Khaliq” reached Mumbai International Airport.

On behalf of seafarers National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) has hardened its stance against the apathy towards the plight of the seafarers sailing the perilous waters of Gulf of Aden.

“The role of seafarers working on merchant navy ships is never denied, as ships carry 90 per cent of the worldwide trade in volume, but the irony is that it is never acknowledged. Though the International Maritime Organisation declares 2010 as the “Year of the Seafarer” and pious statements are made here and there in bits and pieces, the fact remains there is nobody to their rescue when they are under attack in the pirate infested Gulf of Aden off the Somalian coast, said a NUSI press release.

“All the governments collectively, the United Nations, the International Maritime Organisation, the International Labour Organisation have failed to effectively eradicate the menace of Piracy which is increasing day by day in the Gulf of Aden. For the governments, the seafarers have become only statistics,” the release rues.

“The 22,000 tonnes wheat carrying Panama flagship m.v. “Al Khaliq” is a classic example of the audacity of the governments. When the ship was hijacked on 22nd October 2009 it was just one more ship hijacked. The company, the seafarers unions, the families were literally on their own to fend for themselves without any international support,” the release deplored. Adding “There were 24 Indians and 2 Burmese seafarers on board “Al Khaliq”. The release of the ship, after three months, reduces to 11 the number of foreign vessels still held by Somali pirates, together with more than 200 crew members of different nationalities.”

NUSI declared “Seafarers are not helpless. The National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) is spearheading and co-ordinating an international agitation with the support of unions from India, Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Ukranian, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and other nationality seafarers from labour supplying countries. The discussion with the unions are already on. If the situation does not improve then NUSI is soon going to announce a date after which seafarers from labour supplying countries are not going to sail in the Gulf of Aden off the Somalia coast.”

In a tough stance adopted NUSI says “This will surely hamper the worldwide trade. The very mention of the agitation of NUSI has sent jitters amongst the international shipping fraternity. But then this is the only language which the governments worldwide will understand. They have to come out of their callous approach and have effective mechanism against piracy in the Gulf of Aden off the Somalian coast. Why should seafarers be sitting ducks at the mercy of the pirates?”

In a not so veiled threat NUSI says “If the world has forgotten us, we know how to make them aware of our existence and our contribution to the world economy.”