Mass of Hapless India's Seamen are Again on the Path of Continuous Strike Worldwide

Abstract

The number of jobs in the Indian shipping industry is dismal, with vacancies almost halving in Bombay between 1975 and 1983, and in Calcutta, they are no more than a third of what they were. Neither shipowners nor governments are dealing with the problem adequately, blaming it on a "global recession". On 5 April 1983 government announced a whole package of concessions for shipowners, while the seamen union demands have been ignored. FSUI (CITU) organised a strike in November 1982, as well as a sit-in on 30 March 1983. Despite promises, but there has been no government action. The FSUI (CITU) issues a 9 point list of demands, and calls on all seamen to prepare for strike action.