In order to promote the welfare of the seafarers, to assess and evaluate the level and effectiveness of work in process, to enhance communication between all parties and to encourage regional representatives to develop and adopt an effective project to develop seafarer welfare during a period of 4 years the International Committee on Seafarers Welfare South Asia came together for the Second Regional Welfare Committee Meeting on the 30th November 1st December 2006 at the Royal Bombay Yacht Club, Mumbai, India.
The meeting was welcomed and introduced by Regional Coordinator Dr. Suresh Idnani, who was followed by Chairman's opening remark by Capt. Asitha Wijeskara from Srilanka. Capt. Asitha enlightened the meet and led the way like a true leader and the Chairman of the Committee showed the way, which was the feature of the two day meeting.
Then Regional Coordinator Dr. Suresh Idnani addressed the meet by welcoming all the present delegates from South Asia Countries and India. He started with saying that the top priority at the start of the ICSW seminar was to encourage all the four countries to form the National Seafarers Welfare Board/PWCs in their respective countries. He stated that this endeavor was successful in India, Srilanka and Bangladesh. He further added that he was unable to visit Pakistan this year but my efforts will be directed towards achieving our desired objectives there in the following year. He presented a presentation on A Global Reference on Maritime Labour Issues, where he pointed that this convention has become the 4th pillar of QUALIT Shipping (with SOLAS, STCW, MARPOL). He then discussed the Welfare and Recreation facilities for visiting seafarers should be established and developed in ports, which was followed by the Vision of the program, where he emphasized on existing services in major and minor ports, Networking and Communication, Training, avoid duplication, to encourage all stake holders to work in unison towards seafarers welfare, to comply with ILO provisions. He then pointed that during the First RWC Colombo Capt. Asitha was made the Managing Director and Mr. M. P Pinto was made the Vice Chairman. He then spoke on Indian seafarer's welfare, where he provided the delegates present with the pointers like PWCs developed in Mumbai, Goa, Chennai, Manglore, Tuticorin and Vishakapatnam, National Strategic Action Plan, Proposal for upgradation. He also informed the meet that a Ship Visitor Course is to be conducted on 2nd and 3rd December, 2006.
After an interesting presentation by Dr. Suresh Idnani Mr. Tom Holmer Administrative Officer ITF-ST addressed the meet. He started with saying that ITF has completed 25 years of service towards Helping Seafarers to take the strain. He then said that ITF is engaged in Regional Co-operation and Networking, promotion of ILO instruments on seafarer's Welfare, training which should include Ship visiting, communication, English language and promotion of ICSW training. He then pointed that ITF see to provide Facilities and services to the seafarer, and believe in Raising Awareness among the seafarer's. He then said but whenever we ask the seafarer what would they like to have onboard. The answer is very common communication with their families and friends. Hence ITF accords high weightage to this need of the seafarers. He said we at ITF are seriously working towards this proposition. He then spoke on Seafarers Health Information Program (SHIP), where he highlighted pointed like Hygiene in the Galley, Healthy Food, Obesity, Safe Travel, Malaria, HIV/AIDS, Exercise on board and International Sports for Seafarer's. He concluded by saying that if any seafarer or his family needs help we have a help line i.e. Ring Seafarer +44 2073232737 or visit us at www. Seafarerhelp.com or write to us at trust@itf.org.uk.
After a short Tea break Confirmation of minutes of last RWC meeting, matters arising out of the minutes were discussed. Mr. Michael Pinto said that providing an addition $5 in the pay package will not support the cause but rather support the seafarers when they are stuck in foreign ports are homesick. He said that there should be an interactive website for the seafarer's, which was acknowledged by all those who attended the meeting. Dr. Suresh. Idnani then took over the conversation and said that all the stakeholders of the shipping fraternity especially MASSA should support the cause of Welfare Visiting Seafarer's. We should all towards these Foreign Visiting Seafarer's. He further added if we would like to have a welfare system for our seafarer's who visit foreign countries, then we shall also reciprocate in the same, we shall work towards the Welfare of Visiting Seafarer's.
Then the National Strategic Plan Report- 2007- India was presented by Mr. Pinto who was followed by Capt. S.C. Sood , Capt. K.N Deboo and Rev. Osmond Shiri. They all gave different dimension to the meeting. After lunch National Strategic Work Plan Report-2007- Srilanka was presented by Capt. Asitha Wijeskara, Rev. Andrew Payne and Capt. Nalin Peris. Day one concluded with a discussion of project proposal.
Day two began with the National Strategic Plan Report- 2007- Pakistan, which was presented Mr. Adam Panjri and PNSC Representative. This was followed by Training Initiatives ICMA to lead the discussion Fr. Xavier Pinto and Rev. Osmand Shiri gave an interesting presentation. Then National Strategic Plan Report- 2007- Bangladesh, which was presented by Mr. Abdul Wahhab and Mr. Shafiqur Rahaman after which Discussion of project proposals were elaborately discussed.
After lunch there was summing up and conclusions south Asia Regional Work Program for seafarer's Welfare 2007. Project proposals And prioritizations. The two day meet, which was a perfect epitome of the responsibility this committee carries on its shoulder concluded with a Concluding remarks by Vice Chairman Mr. M. P. Pinto.
The common facet of the two day event was that Dr. Suresh Idnani was praised for his efforts as the Regional Coordinator- South Asia.