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ALL ABOUT NUSI AND THEIR WELFARE PROGRAMMES
Past History
A group of sailors formed themselves into an association called Goa Portuguese Seamen's Club in 1896, a hundred years ago. It became the foundation of seafarers' Struggle for better life.
It is a long story of fight for social justice, initially for jobs, then for better working conditions and now, for better living.
At present, there are more than 35,000 Indian seamen who draw on an average a monthly salary of Rs. Thirty Thousand to Fifty Thousand on foreign flag ships and between Fifteen and Thirty Thousand on Indian ships; eat good food with a calorie content of over three thousand daily on board including ice-cream, fresh milk and cheese and live comfortably with family when ashore. There are many educational and other welfare facilities for them too. All this is thanks to National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) which has fought many battles for them.
It was in 1918 that the word union appeared in seamen's life. Two separate bodies viz. Asian Seafarers' Union and Indian Seamen's Union comprising Deck and Engine Room ratings were founded in 1918. They merged next year and the first strike by Indian seamen on S.S. Kaiser-E-Hind of P & O took place. It was Khansaheb Mohamed Ebrahim Serang Who fought against all odds to unite seamen to seek regular jobs the seamen's life was miserable then. They had to carry their own bedding and utensils on voyage. Work - day was of 24 hours and work very hard. The food was just enough for subsistence.
When the Indian Trade Unions Act, 1926, came into force in 1927, the Indian Seamen's Union registered itself. Its registration number was 7.
Later in 1932, it was Khansaheb Mohamed Ebrahim Serang who founded the present National Union of Seafarers of India (then National Seamen's Union of India). It fought initially for the right of employment, then for increase in wages and improvement of working conditions. In 1964 Indian seamen secured two social security benefits, namely, provident fund and gratuity. It was a singlehanded battle by Dr. Leo Barnes that won the Indian seamen a life with dignity.
Once he plunged into union activity in 1961. he devoted his life for the cause of seafarers. Dr. Barnes, who fights like a warrior is a skilled negotiator. In order to gain a step or two , he compromises but never on principles! He is successful in making many international agreements in favour of Indian and Asian seamen. Incidentally Dr. Barnes who was once a sailor himself did his studies while doing union work. He specialises in Mercantile marine law relating to seamen.
NUSI is perhaps the only Indian union which has worked on the principle of collective barganing, settling all its disputes across the table at bipartite meetings.
The funding concept was introduced in 1973 under the ISF/ITF Understanding and the Total Crew Concept was accepted in 1983 by Fair Practices Committee of ITF. These two developments brought about sea change in the Indian seamen's life.
There are many welfare projects for Indian seamen initiated out of these funds.
For the last ten years, the union has been engaged in various welfare activities for Seafarers and their families. More than eight major projects for the welfare of Indian seamen in various parts of the country are on hand. They are mentioned elsewhere.
Now the union mainly helps seamen in facilitating their job requirements on a broader front. It has joined hands with shipowners to acquire more jobs for Indian seamen from International market. NUSI is the only union which runs educational and training institute to prepare qualified and competent Indian seamen. The union not only fights for betterment of wages and conditions but also prepares its members to accept the newer challenges at sea.
NUSI is a union with a difference.
NUSI has established educational institutions, health
centers & recreational facilities, as follows, during last
ten years.
ALL ABOUT NUSI AND THEIR WELFARE PROGRAMMES
Past History
A group of sailors formed themselves into an association called Goa Portuguese Seamen's Club in 1896, a hundred years ago. It became the foundation of seafarers' Struggle for better life.
It is a long story of fight for social justice, initially for jobs, then for better working conditions and now, for better living.
At present, there are more than 35,000 Indian seamen who draw on an average a monthly salary of Rs. Thirty Thousand to Fifty Thousand on foreign flag ships and between Fifteen and Thirty Thousand on Indian ships; eat good food with a calorie content of over three thousand daily on board including ice-cream, fresh milk and cheese and live comfortably with family when ashore. There are many educational and other welfare facilities for them too. All this is thanks to National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) which has fought many battles for them.
It was in 1918 that the word union appeared in seamen's life. Two separate bodies viz. Asian Seafarers' Union and Indian Seamen's Union comprising Deck and Engine Room ratings were founded in 1918. They merged next year and the first strike by Indian seamen on S.S. Kaiser-E-Hind of P & O took place. It was Khansaheb Mohamed Ebrahim Serang Who fought against all odds to unite seamen to seek regular jobs the seamen's life was miserable then. They had to carry their own bedding and utensils on voyage. Work - day was of 24 hours and work very hard. The food was just enough for subsistence.
When the Indian Trade Unions Act, 1926, came into force in 1927, the Indian Seamen's Union registered itself. Its registration number was 7.
Later in 1932, it was Khansaheb Mohamed Ebrahim Serang who founded the present National Union of Seafarers of India (then National Seamen's Union of India). It fought initially for the right of employment, then for increase in wages and improvement of working conditions. In 1964 Indian seamen secured two social security benefits, namely, provident fund and gratuity. It was a singlehanded battle by Dr. Leo Barnes that won the Indian seamen a life with dignity.
Once he plunged into union activity in 1961. he devoted his life for the cause of seafarers. Dr. Barnes, who fights like a warrior is a skilled negotiator. In order to gain a step or two , he compromises but never on principles! He is successful in making many international agreements in favour of Indian and Asian seamen. Incidentally Dr. Barnes who was once a sailor himself did his studies while doing union work. He specialises in Mercantile marine law relating to seamen.
NUSI is perhaps the only Indian union which has worked on the principle of collective barganing, settling all its disputes across the table at bipartite meetings.
The funding concept was introduced in 1973 under the ISF/ITF Understanding and the Total Crew Concept was accepted in 1983 by Fair Practices Committee of ITF. These two developments brought about sea change in the Indian seamen's life.
There are many welfare projects for Indian seamen initiated out of these funds.
For the last ten years, the union has been engaged in various welfare activities for Seafarers and their families. More than eight major projects for the welfare of Indian seamen in various parts of the country are on hand. They are mentioned elsewhere.
Now the union mainly helps seamen in facilitating their job requirements on a broader front. It has joined hands with shipowners to acquire more jobs for Indian seamen from International market. NUSI is the only union which runs educational and training institute to prepare qualified and competent Indian seamen. The union not only fights for betterment of wages and conditions but also prepares its members to accept the newer challenges at sea.
NUSI is a union with a difference.
Contact Us
National
Union of Seafarers of India
|
HEAD
OFFICE : NUSI Bhavan, 4 GOA, Street Ballard Estate,
Mumbai 400 0038. INDIA
Tel.No.: (022) 22618363, 2261 8369 Fax : (022) 22615929
Email : nusi@eth.net
Mumbai 400 0038. INDIA
Tel.No.: (022) 22618363, 2261 8369 Fax : (022) 22615929
Email : nusi@eth.net
| National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) is more than 100 year old institution. It is probably the only trade union organization in India to have celebration centenary. A group of seamen , who have remained unknown in the sense that their names are not available, took the first heroic step of organizing Indian seamen & formed Goa Portuguese Seamen’s Club way back in December 1896. It is their thought, efforts & financial stability of NUSI. NUSI has history, tradition & a legacy of striving for the betterment of Indian seafarers in all respects- industrial, economic, social & individual. |
| As a responsible trade union, NUSI took a conscious decision to create its own infrastructure in its campaign for the welfare of Indian seafarers. Since it is aware of its social responsibilities, it has developed numerous infrastructural facility out of its own funds rather than depending on the society to provide services to Indian seamen. It is satisfying that in the process, other segments of the society also are to derive immense benefits out of such infrastructure made available by NUSI. |  |
| (a) NUSI Maritime Academy, Goa | The Academy is spread over 35 acres of land. It conducts Pre-Sea & Post sea residential training as also statutorily required courses & has capacity to accommodate 400 trainees at a time |
| (b) Dr. Leo Barnes Pre-Sea Academy, Goa | A modern training center has been set up at T.S. Rahaman Foundation. It conducts pre-sea training for ratings in Deck & Engine Room & Catering departments. |
| (c) NUSI Hospital, Goa | |
| (d) NUSI Hospital, Panval | As a trade
union organization, NUSI has no expertise to run a
hospital or any medical facility for that matter.
Neither it is its business to run a hospital.
Therefore, it decided to tie up with the famous
Apollo Groups of Hospitals to administer both above
hospitals. The Hospital at Goa was inaugurated on 6th November 2001—Seamen’s Unity Day. It functions as the best medical center in the entire area of South Goa as it has all facilities with modern state pf the art equipment to provide medical care, attention & treatment to the rural population there. |
| (e) NUSI Resort, Lonavala comprising— | i) Home for
the aged
ii) Hospital Home iii) Trade Union Training College |
| NUSI Resort, established at Lonavala, serves the Indian seafarers in the following manner: | |
| i) Home for the Aged | The Home for senior seafarers has the capacity for 100 inmates where there are looked after in respect of all their daily needs, medical attention, weekly needs such As shaving, hair cut beedies, etc. as well as recreation. |
| ii) Holiday Home for Seafarers | The Holiday Home is for seamen-members of NUSI with boarding, lodging & recreational facilities. It is also made available to friends from other trade unions & organizations friendly with NUSI. |
| iii) Trade Union Training College | When the Trade Union Trining College was inaugurate3d by late Dr. Leo Barnes, NUSI General Secretary in 1994, he dedicated it to the Indian Trade Union Movement. The College has conference halls & other mordern facilities as well as residential quarters for over 60 participants. |
| f) NUSI Holiday Home Goa | The complex is on a plot of land of about 2, 000 sq. meters with 32 rooms & boarding & lodging facilities. |
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