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| | victamisation of seafarers
Capt Sukhdev Singh staff code-2820 Master of ship goes to court against his victamisation and conditions of seafarers onboard indian ships. He is being victamised further by the company for filing suit against them.
Can any body help me please? Master of The Great Eastern shipping company Ltd. Approaches Mumbai High Court for justice Shipping Company issues him charge sheet in retaliation for proceeding to court of law The Great Eastern shipping company Ltd, with ISO certification, has issued a Charge Sheet in retaliation to one of their Masters of the seagoing ships on 30 March 2005, because, the Master Capt Sukhdev Singh staff code-2820, Lt. Cdr (Rtd.)Ex Indian Navy Officer, address- 2-B-103, GE Links, Ram Mandir Road Goregaon West, Mumbai-400104 Phone 22-56951688, had approached the Honorable High Court of Mumbai on 22 December 2004 and filed a suit (suit no.527 of 2005),praying for justice against his victimization by the above shipping company. He is an ex-defense services officer, served the country for a period of 26 years in Indian Navy, with his ability and devotion to duties he raised up to the rank of Lt. Commander. He was also awarded various medals for his meritorious service. During his tenure of employment with the above shipping company as a Master since 1997 under Agreement of Maritime Union of India and Indian National Ship Owners Association, he had received various letters of appreciation and praise from the management of the above company and other authorities for carrying out his duties with devotion and sincerity. The trouble started from the year of 2002, when the Master pointed out certain deficiencies onboard his vessels where he was posted as Master, relating to unqualified crew posted under very low wages, safety, health hazards, recreation and food etc and requested the company to make good the deficiencies, this was also his duty as per Merchant Shipping Act of India. Some of the Managers of the company fearing exposure became hostile to the Master and started targeting him by various vindictive means His joining / leave schedule was made upset effecting his family plans, kept him in high-polluted oil /gas oil fields beyond the permissible safety limit, thus exposing his health to serious risks. They also tried to create various problems onboard his vessel to make him mentally upset and lower his esteem. He was humiliated, insulted and threatened many times and were indirectly forcing him to resign and go by foregoing all monitory benefits, which will otherwise be due to him. Many Indian Shipping Company’s normally treat the seafarers in such manner and force them to resign and forfeit their retirement benefits. The Master pleaded for justice before the Managing Director of the company in December 2002, but the victimization became from bad to worse. Since May 2003, against the rules of the employment, in spite of repeated reminder the Company did not call him for duty and withheld his salary. This way the company is trying to teach him a lesson by making him mentally and financially week by stopping his salary and allowances arbitrarily, so no seafarer dare to speak against them in future. However, Capt. Sukhdev Singh did not loose heart and hope and did not resign. He was constantly in touch with the company in writing, on phone and also in person requesting his rightful dues. He also wrote to Director General of Shipping Mumbai and Maritime Union Of India, but, all his efforts to resolve the issue failed. He. then gathered courage to fight legally for the justice against his employer, "The Great Eastern Shipping Company Ltd", and approached the Honorable High Court at Mumbai to seek justice in Dec 2004. The above company had not only violated The Maritime Union of India and Indian National Ship owner’s Association agreement, under which he is employed, by not calling him for duty and stopping his salary, but, has also ignored the advise of the MUI and his advocates, who requested the above company to stop any further victimization to the Master. Their inhuman act has severely affected the family of the seafarer, this had happened to him, because, he was doing his duties properly for safety and welfare of his officers and crew onboard his vessel. Clause 12 of the said charge sheet served to the Master by the company on 30 March 2005, clearly indicates that the charge sheet has been given to the Master for his daring to file a suit against the shipping company in the Honorable high Court. The Submission made by the Master in his suit has been included as a Charge in the above charge sheet. The alleged incidents referred to in the charge sheet are of the years 1999, 2001, 2002 and 2003, which were never the subject matter of any show cause notice, charge sheet or enquiry against him, till the time he filed the above suit and no adverse remarks from his confidential reports were ever communicated to him during the tenure of service with the company. On the contrary, he was issued letters of appreciations and received commendations from the Management of the Company and other Officials for the good work done, whilst serving onboard various vessels of the Company, since he has served the Company with devotion and sincerity and have brought good name to the company by virtue of experience and seniority. This another vindictive action has been taken by the shipping company deliberately against the advise of the advocates of the Master and The General Secretary of Maritime Union of India, knowing very well that the matter is subjudice, and this act will constitute a blatant affront to the honorable court showing disrespect to the court of justice. The Master, Capt Sukhdev Singh has filed an additional affidavit on 15 April 2005, highlighting his continuation victimization and highhandedness of the company, He had prayed for immediate help and relief. The case is pending decision in due course, many seafarers sailing at high seas under such difficult working conditions by leaving their families behind, are looking forward for justice, with a hope to sail on board ships without any fear of victimization in future by the shipping companies.
seafarer victimisation some or all of what the senior master may be true.
honourable way out should have been to stop serving such a company and look for employment under better conditions. the long drawn out affair smells of vindictiveness from both parties with master at the losing end. |