New Delhi | CPI(M) MP John Brittas on Tuesday wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar seeking stronger diplomatic and consular mechanisms for the safety, welfare and compensation rights of Indian seafarers working in conflict-affected maritime regions.
In his letter, Brittas said Indian seafarers face grave risks while operating in high-risk areas, particularly the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, and the Black Sea.
Citing the government's response to his question in Rajya Sabha on July 30, Brittas said 16 Indian nationals, including 10 seafarers, lost their lives and 75 Indians had been injured since the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East this year.
He said the deaths included eight in Oman, four in the UAE, two in Kuwait and one each in Saudi Arabia and Iraq, while injuries were reported from the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Israel.
"Ten of the 16 Indian nationals killed in the Middle East conflict were seafarers -- a stark reminder of the risks they bear," Brittas said in a post on X.
Brittas, who is the leader of the CPI(M) group in Rajya Sabha, sought a "single, clearly identifiable 24x—7 contact mechanism" through which a distressed Indian seafarer, family member or authorised representative could immediately reach the government or the Indian mission concerned.
He also called for a common and readily accessible contact point for Indian seafarers sailing in the Red Sea, Persian Gulf and Black Sea, besides stronger mission-level intervention in cases involving disappearance, abandonment, detention, accidents, injury, death, non-payment of wages, evacuation and repatriation.
The CPI(M) MP also raised the case of Shinton Benny, a young man from Kochi and a deck officer trainee aboard the Japan-flagged Victorious Ace, operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines.
He said Benny has reportedly been missing since August 12 while the vessel was sailing from South Africa towards Singapore.
"I have also sought urgent diplomatic action to trace Shinton Benny, a young seafarer from Kochi, missing since 12 August while serving aboard 'Victorious Ace'," he said in his X post.
Brittas urged the government to expedite diplomatic and consular measures to trace Benny and ascertain his safety and whereabouts.
He also sought stronger assistance in securing death and injury compensation and other contractual dues of Indian seafarers, saying families often face difficulties in pursuing claims against overseas ship owners, employers, managers and insurers.
Referring to the recently strengthened Seafarers' Welfare Fund Scheme, including the one-time assistance of Rs 10 lakh for death or permanent disability in specified warlike or high-risk areas, Brittas said the assistance could not substitute for compensation contractually or legally payable by an employer, ship owner or insurer.
He said the ministry, through Indian missions, should facilitate the settlement of legitimate compensation, death benefits, wages and other contractual dues where cross-border or jurisdictional complications obstruct their recovery.
Brittas also pointed out that compensation had so far been disbursed in only nine of the 16 reported death cases, leaving several bereaved families awaiting relief.
He urged Jaishankar to issue appropriate directions to Indian missions to closely follow such cases and facilitate the expeditious settlement of compensation and other legitimate dues.