OUR STORY

Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI), was established on the 30th of May 1954 at Kolkata. Prior to that, there was no strong organization to fight for seafarer’s rights. In those days Seamen were subjected to inhuman torture, exploitation, and victimization by the shipowners. It was a pathetic state of affairs, improper pay-scales and bad working conditions were the rules of the day. This crisis created anger and resentment amongst seamen. There was a constant desire in them to change this terrible situation by coming together and protesting unitedly. This laid the foundation that was required and marked the beginning for the formation of FSUI in 1954.

FSUI strongly emerged in Mumbai (The biggest Shipping Hub of India) in the year 1996 under the leadership of Shri. Naresh Birwadkar. It was for the first time that seamen in and around Mumbai got a chance to experience and enjoy their rights. FSUI strived hard to protect the rights and welfare of Seafarers, trying to meticulously resolve every problem brought forward to them at an individual as well as policy-related level. Today FSUI has branches across India at  Chennai, Tuticorin, Vizag, Kochi, Port Blair, Lakshadweep, and other cities and is working strongly in association with many port and dock unions both Nationally and Internationally. FSUI through their advocacy and struggle has been successful in achieving the following milestone results for Indian Seafarers –

• KUMUD BANSAL AWARD (Structured wages for Indian Seafarers).
• FSUI GOT MAJORITY STATUS.
• SUCCESSFULLY OPPOSED SCI PRIVATISATION.
• BROUGHT OUT PROVIDENT FUND SCAM & GOT BACK THE MONEY.
• PRATIMA UMERJI AWARD (Got Seafarer status & Wages for Catering Crew).
• OPPOSED FORCED MEMBERSHIP & Fought for FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION for INDIAN SEAFARERS.
• ITF AFFILIATION for FSUI.
• SUCCESSFULLY ACHIEVED BETTER WAGES AND RIGHTS FOR INDIAN SEAFARERS.

FSUI has constructed a HOLIDAY HOME (That provides leisure and relaxation for Seafarers) at Matheran, a hill station situated in the Raigad district of Maharashtra. FSUI also has an organization namely OFFSHORE & HOME TRADE SEAMEN’S WELFARE TRUST formed to look after the welfare of Seafarers.OSHTSWT has inaugurated two milestone projects namely ORBIT HOSPITAL (That provides free and subsidized treatment to the Seafarers) at Bhivandi, Dist – Thane, Maharashtra  and SHANTINIVAS SEVAGRAM (Old age Home & post-retirement centre that provides Welfare& arranges accommodation and food for Retired Seafarers) at Mangao, Dist – Raigad, Maharashtra.

FSUI has presently initiated Large Scale Struggle for implementation of ILO Convention C070 (Social Security) and C071 (Seafarers’ Pensions) for Retired Seafarers. For Wages and Working Conditions as per Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006) &Regular Employment for Seafarers as per the Roster system. FSUI is also working to formulate corrective measures required to resolve the Issues relating to Unemployment and stop the cases of Fraud, Cheating happening with Student Seafarers. We will continue the struggle till the Rights and Welfare for Seafarers are achieved.