Port Blair, July 9: The INTUC President, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma along with a delegation of seamen employed in the inter islands vessels owned by A&N Administration met the Chief Secretary Shri Anand Prakash recently in connection with the grievances of Home Trade seamen. The Director Shipping Services, A&N Administration was also present in the meeting.
Sharma briefed the CS about non increase of wages 150 odd Home Trade seamen since 31st March 2006, leading to hardship and sufferings. He said that as per the governing terms and conditions of employments, these seamen under the Merchant Shipping Act 1958 are paid wages on the basis of Memorandum of Agreement executed between the Employer (DSS, A&N Administration) and the Seamen Union. The wages so arrived is applicable for a period of two years. The revision of wages was last done vide Memorandum of Agreement dated 12.04.2007 and was applicable up to 31.03.2006. Since then there has been no increase in wages of these seamen due to non execution of the revised Memorandum of the Wage Agreement.
The Union and the Employer (DSS) has come to an understanding regarding the quantum of revision in wages for the block years 2006-08, 2008-10 & 2010-12 and have submitted the proposal for revision of wages to the A&N Administration for its approval, which is awaited since quite some time.
Sharma requested the Chief Secretary to consider revision of held up wages. The Chief Secretary has assured for early settlement of the grievances of the inter island home trade seamen