The day of reckoning has arrived at NUSI, one of the largest trade union bodies representing seamen. NUSI jubilantly announces, “We are happy to inform that today i.e. 30th July, 2007 vide the demand draft nos. “906213009686” of Rs. 91,07,00,000 (Rupees Ninety One Crores Seven Lacs) & “906213009687” of Rs. 1,71,00,000 (Rupees One Crore Seventy-One Lac) (copy enclosed) totaling to Rs. 92.78 Crores was received by the Office of the Seamen’s Provident Fund, Mumbai from the Governement of India.” Mr. Abdulgani Y. Serang, NUSI General Secretary cum Treasurer said, “This is a historical and unprecedented achievement of NUSI in the history of Indian Trade Union Movement on behalf of seafarers and their families to whom this amount represents the only source of livelihood in the evening of their lives.”

It may be recalled that a fraud was unearthed in May 2002 involving crores of Rupees from the Seamen’s Provident Fund. Upon pressure from the agitating workers, the then Commissioner of Seamen’s Provident Fund, Mr. A.K. Ghond was arrested and a CBI enquiry instituted. NUSI had demanded that the entire amount embezzled be returned to the seafarers.

NUSI recalls the struggle and the wholehearted and united spirit that they fought for the last five years to recover their hard earned dues. Thousands of seafarers and their families under the banner of NUSI participated in the agitations across the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarath, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Karnataka, Orissa, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The agitations also saw the arrest of Mr. Abdulgani Y. Serang along with other NUSI Office Bearers and workers.

Mr. Abdulgani Y. Serang in his communiqué to seamen says, “this was possible through the efforts of NUSI President, Dr. Shanti Patel, NUSI office bearers, Executive committee members, NUSI organizers, staff, Branch Representatives, the support of the maritime administration, Shipowners, the international Transport Workers Federation (ITF), the Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), other unions and most importantly the seafarers and their families.” NUSI has also recorded its appreciation of the decision of the government of India in the matter.

In the meanwhile, NUSI has demanded a higher rate of interest, and a good pension scheme.