MARGAO: The All Goa Retired Seamen Welfare Association has lamented the fact that seamen are getting very negligible pension.

It may be recalled, that in the month of March 1998, a delegation of retired seamen led by Mr Paxao Almeida from Agonda, Canaconna had met late Dr Leo Barnes in the NUSI Maritime Academy in the presence of Mr Vasant Samant, Dr Kamat and Mr U Almeida.

And they had placed before late Dr Leo Barnes the difficulties faced by the Indian retired seamen in respect of ex-gratia monthly monetary assistance (pension).

Mr Almeida informed that the pension is so meager that a seamen cannot even buy provisions for a week. More ever the pension is not on time and the seamen has to go to the bank every day to check and inquire about the receipt of the pension.

The delegation had requested Dr Leo Barnes to increase substantially the monthly pension so that the seamen do not live like beggars.

Dr Barnes, informing the delegation that he was aware of the difficulties as he had been getting constant reports from all over the country, had assured that he would try to increase the pension amount substantially.

Dr Barnes, in his Divali message in NUSI letter No283 of the November month 1998, had stated: "There are two important benefits, namely pension and family medical benefits assistance, which are under consideration. In two or three year’s time, seamen will start receiving amount of Rs 1000 to Rs 1500 per month. Regarding family medical benefits, a proper scheme will be shortly formulated. Every family will start getting medical benefits, after the scheme is duly implemented."

Unfortunately, due to pre-mature and sad demise of Dr Barnes, the dream of the seamen could not be achieved. And the leadership that succeeded late Dr Barnes had no time or did not want to carry forward the pending "Divali messenger"
stated above.