While other states
have given priority for vaccinations, the Goa government continues to show lack
of foresight and pro activeness, said the Goan Seamen Association of India
(GSAI) here on Friday 21 May.
GSAI said the
government’s failure to allocate vaccines for seafarers has put their jobs in
jeopardy.
With global
shipping firms showing a preference for vaccinated crew members, any delay will
lead to a loss of jobs, GSAI said.
On May 7, the
Union ministry for shipping, port & waterways directed all 11 major ports,
including Mormugao Port Trust, to set up vaccination centres for seafarers.
“It appears that
our government has put Goan seafarers out of sight and out of mind,” said GSAI
president Frank Viegas.
“The government has put Goan seafarers and
their jobs in complete crisis.”
Viegas said that
vaccines have not been allotted to MPT while ports at Mumbai, Cochin and
Chennai have already commenced vaccinating seafarers from their respective
states. “Our government and authorities need to understand that it is seafarers
and the merchant ships which are the second line of defence and also keep the
national economy and global economy running. Without vaccination, our seafarers
are facing problems of job loss and loss of income as many companies around the
world are asking for vaccinated seafarers in the interest of crew safety,”
Viegas said.
GSAI has requested to at least prioritise seafarers above 45 years and
those already take first dose
GSAI has requested
the state to urgently release vaccine doses to MPT and to at least prioritise
seafarers above 45 years and those who have already taken one dose of the
vaccine. |