"Make arrangements to repatriate ‘Machuara'(Fishworkers):Goa Civil Society tells State government

Prakash Kamat
Panaji,May 29-The Goa People's Voices COVID-19 Response,a civil society group in Goa on Friday wrote to various authorities in Goa government demanding to make arrangements for ‘Machuara (Fishworkers) Special’ trains/buses to repatriate migrant workers in the fishing sector of Goa.
A memorandum signed by over 125 persons from diverse sections of society, including representatives of fisherfolk organisations, have draw urgent attention of Goa Fisheries Director and other authorities including Goa State Executive Committee headed by Chief Secretary Parimal Rai to the matter of migrant workers in the fishing sector of Goa. 
These workers comprise both,workers on fishing boats and in allied fishing sectors, who have continued to work and live on boats and in/around fishing harbours since the announcement of the lockdown on the 24th of March, 2020.
The memorandum further says:
As you are aware, the fishing season on the West Coast of India ends on the 31st of May every year. The monsoon fishing ban comes into force on account of the unsuitable weather conditions of fishing at sea which poses a risk to both property and life. As such, all fishing operations will close, and after securing the boats for the ban period, boat owners/cooperative societies will be clearing the wages and other formalities with the workers. Thus, we estimate that by the 3rd of June, 2020, a majority of the migrant fishworkers will be in need to travel back to their state of residence
As you are also aware, the Ministry of Home Affairs Order No. 40-3/2020-DM-I (A) issued on 29.04.2020 and the clarification to it on 03.05.2020 allowed for the return of migrant workers and requested States/UTs to facilitate the movement of ‘distressed stranded persons’.
We would also like to draw your attention that given the hardships faced by the migrant workers during this movement, the Supreme Court on 26.05.2020 took suo moto cognisance on the matter. In line with this, the Court has issued notices to the Government of India as well as to State/UT governments to respond to the migrant crisis with urgency.
In the light of the above, we would like to highlight the following:
1.   Goa’s fishing sector, both the mechanised and the motorised sectors, operate primarily with migrant workers. These workers are employed on fishing boats and in allied fishing activities on land, and undertake seasonal migration from their native states to coastal states for a period of 8 to 9 months per year. In our conversations with different fishing societies and engagements with the sector, we estimate that there are upwards of 6000-8000 migrant workers in the sector who are from the states of Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka;
2.   During the period of their migration to Goa between the months of August and June, workers reside on fishing boats, or in temporary shelters close to the fishing harbours. Thus the place of residence for the workers is seasonal in nature and therefore temporary. Once the monsoon ban period begins, most of the sector’s workers will be without work/wages and a place of shelter that can guarantee them protection against the monsoon weather conditions.
3. At the start of the monsoon ban period the workers return home. However, given the current situation of the lockdown, the migrant workers will not be able to make the journey to their home states on their own. Since the lockdown was announced on the 24th of March, 2020, workers in the sector nationally, and to an extent in Goa, have been facing immense hardships such as the lack of adequate living conditions, the denial of food and water, the non-payment of wages etc. These conditions have even resulted in the death of a few workers in Gujarat and Maharashtra. Having learnt from the experience of fishworkers who were stranded on the East coast where the monsoon ban had begun on the 15th of April, 2020, we are of the opinion that dedicated efforts are needed so that workers in Goa will not be stranded after the 1st of June, 2020.
Given all of the above, there is a need for an urgent and time-bound intervention from the Department of Fisheries (DoF) in order to facilitate the movement of migrant workers from the fishing sector. Some of these steps involve:
A.  Census: As can be seen in the attachments to this letter, Goa has 4 fishing harbours, 5 landing centres and a total of 2847 fishing boats. Currently, there is no official census or registration of migrant workers in the fishing sector and thus there is no information about how many workers seek employment in Goa, where they hail from, where they will be returning to and when they will be undertaking this return journey. In the situation of the lockdown when the administration is already stressed with the existing number of registered migrant workers seeking repatriation, it is important that this information be placed before the different liasioning departments and the public by the DoF. This is to ensure that plans for repatriation are put in place taking into consideration the size and the diversity of this sector of workers; without this plan Goa will not be able to handle the added strain of 6000-8000  workers and will end up subjecting them to severe distress;
B. Repatriation: Until a plan is put in place in line with point A above, directions must also be issued to boat owners associations and cooperative societies as follows:
-Consultations must be undertaken with all workers in their employment, including daily-waged, non-contracted and allied workers, in order to take note of the demands of the workers. We have been informed that boat owners have concerns regarding the next fishing season on account of the lockdown and would like to retain the migrant workers in Goa during the monsoon months. It is solely the right of the migrant worker to choose to return or remain in Goa; however the DoF must ensure that all decisions adhere to the laws of Goa and are free from forms of coercion such as withholding wages or threatening with the loss of employment.
-Until such time that the consultation is complete, and that workers’ voices have been heard, they should not be coerced to leave the fishing harbours and boats. Similarly, wages, food, water, medical attention and adequate housing in view of distancing norms must continue to be provided. To address this, the DoF must set up a helpline that the workers can call and address their grievances;
-The DoF must ensure that all orders from the Central and State authorities are adhered to in the process of repatriating the workers; this includes providing safe and free travel arrangements to all workers.
To this end we would like to suggest the arranging of ‘Machuara Special’ trains such that in consultation with District Collectorates and the Inter-State Nodal Officer so that dedicated attention can be given to the matter;
C.  Fare: It has been brought to our notice that workers are paying exorbitantly high fares to make the return journey to their home states. Only last week, 54 migrant fishworkers from Betul and Vasco paid INR 2.3 lacs/bus for a journey from Goa to Andhra Pradesh, that is, Rs. 11000/- approximately per worker. Given the situation of the lockdown, it has to be ensured that workers are not put in a position where they have no option but to pay their fare home. Thus, the DoF must work in conjunction with the inter-state nodal officer, district collectors and cooperative societies to facilitate the return of the workers on Machuara Special trains/government provided buses. All costs associated with the return journeys must be borne by the Government of Goa.
D.  Monsoon Ban: The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has via order No. 30035/15/97-Fy-(T-1) Vol.V dated the 25.05.2020 pushed back the onset of the monsoon ban period to the 15th of June, 2020 for the Indian EEZ. This is not acceptable. It MUST be ensured by the DoF that fishing will stop on the 1st of June, 2020 given the prevailing weather and economic conditions in relation to the size of the fishing boats of Goa and the at-sea working conditions. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Goa Observatory has already warned fishing boats from not venturing out to sea until the 4th of June due to rough weather and sea conditions. Thus, given the distressed condition of workers during the pandemic and the weather conditions, allowing boats to operate beyond the 1st of June would place migrant workers in the sector at immense risk of life. The DoF must retain its ban order for Goa’s territorial waters and direct all boat owners and cooperative societies to end fishing on the 1st of June given the extraordinary state of affairs on account of the lockdown.

Signatories include Siddharth ChakravartySebastian Rodrigues, National Council Member, National Platform for Small Scale Fisheries,OIencio Simoes, General Secretary, Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott.(eom)

COVID- 19 Lockdown gravely affected Repoductive Health of Women:Goa Women's Collective

Prakash Kanat in Panaji,
May 29-Bailancho Saad(BS),women's collective here has noted with concern the serious repercussions on the reproductive health of women during the COVID- 19 Lockdown.
"There have been desperate calls from young women who have borne the brunt of unwanted pregnancies, with no access to medical health as all hospital and OPDs were shut," said Sabina Martins of BS ina press statement issued here on Friday.
"In one instance when a woman  missed her periods and pregnancy test was  positive, she desperately looked for medical help. A victim of domestic violence,mother of three children,was  beaten up several times. Her husband then gave tablets bought over the counter, by getting a prescription, without her being examined or medically evaluated. This caused excessive bleeding which caused severe weakness. With  no food  for her and the children aggravated the violence. 
Despite calling the police station and authorities for help,no case was registered. She was assisted to get food from  volunteers and helpline. The police registered a complaint only in lockdown 3 when a volunteer of BS accompanied her. All the incidents of violence were not recorded despite reporting,alleged Ms. Martins.
In another shocking instance, a mother wailed and complained to Bailancho Saad that her daughter lost her life when she was given tablets, by in laws, to abort the unwanted pregnancy. The girl from Goa got pregnant during lockdown. She lived in Mumbai with her  husband and  one and half year old girl. No medical help reached her. Due to the Lockdown, the mother was unable to attend the daughter’s last rites in Mumbai. An FIR has been lodged as the death was within 7 years of marriage and is under investigation.
In yet another distress call, advice was sought from Bailancho Saad , as a baby was delivered at home and the young girl, whom they believed was a victim of sexual assault was bleeding profusely. The people who were trying to reach her were advised to take the girl to State-run Goa Medical College hospital near here.
During the Lockdown 1and 2, the OPDs and hospitals were closed and inaccessible. There were no proactive steps taken like generating awareness to prevent unwanted pregnancies,by the government. The shame associated with unwanted pregnancies, spurred many women to take steps which were life threatening,said Ms. Martins.
The BS office-bearer said that incidents of related domestic violence became grave as complaints were not registered. The situation worsened when women activists could not be there physically to accompany women to police stations. With mechanisms being dysfunctional, women underwent acute trauma and distress which is still ongoing.
Bailancho Saad demands that immediate corrective steps be taken to ensure that
1) Gynaecology and Obstetrics medical facilities be available 24 hours, in all health centres and hospitals, so that women have access to safe  reproductive healthcare besides general medicare.
ii)As women come forward to report, the police and concerned authorities should register their complaints and take appropriate action.(eom)

Traditional fisherfolk organisations oppose any reduction in monsoon fishing ban

Prakash Kamat
Panaji, May 26- The Goenchea Raponkarancho Ekvott(GRE)veand National Fishworkers Forum(NFF) has vehemently opposed any reduction in the period of the annual uniform coastal monsoon fishing ban.
General Secretary of GRE ,body working for the cause of traditional fisherfolk,Olencio Simoes stated that the Ministry of Fisheries ,Animal Husbandry and Dairying Department of  Fisheries order dated 25th May 2020 reducing the monsoon ban from 61 days to 47 days is a sinister plan to eliminate the fishermen of Goa and make Goa like Norway, Denmark, Oman, New Zealand, Australia, etc.,where fishing was banned for several years due to over-exploitation.
"Assistant commissioner Dr.Sanjay Pandey’s act is unjust,unethical and criminal in nature.It looks like he and his department have planned to displace 80,000 fishermen of Goa. Dr.Pandey has no idea whatsoever about the current situation of the wild fisheries in Goa," said Mr. Simoes who is also an office-bearer of NFF.
He said that the order states that the Ministry of Home affairs order dated 24th March 2020 to 10th April had banned fishing in EEZ and due to this the Government plans to compensate the fishing restriction due to covid-19 and therefore reduce the fishing ban to 47 days and compensate the loss incurred to fishing boats owners.
Mr. Simoes said that, ironically the reduction in fishing ban will not benefit the traditional fishermen nor fishing boat owners as their canoes and boats are small in size and cannot sail due to the stormy weather. But this shortened ban will only benefit deep sea trawlers like pursiners and LED light owners in Goa.
"The irony of the situation is that the pursiners and led light owners are the ones who did not abide by the Ministry of Home affairs order nor the Fisheries Department order of ban of fishing in EEZ nor in territorial waters of Goa so the question of loss doesn’t arise to them at all,"said Mr. Simoes.
Agnelo Rodrigues President of GRE stated that the objective of the fishing monsoon ban aims at conserving fish species during monsoon which is the spawning season for many varieties of fish, including shrimp.
Monsoon is the breeding season of nearly 300 species but all this will be altered or destroyed. Instead of increasing the fishing ban the Central Government has reduced the ban even after knowing that there is a severe drop in catch of wild fisheries in Goa and India.
"Therefore we demand that the State government and the Fisheries department works in the interest of the fishermen of Goa and not to reduce the monsoon ban to 47 days failing which we will be forced to take to streets,said GRE and NFF representatives.(eom)

Goa group demands efficient running of Shramik Express trains transporting migrant workers back to their home States

Panaji
May 24- The Goa People’s Voices: COVID19 Response,a civil society group on Sunday wrote to :

The Indian Railways,

Government of India

care@irctc.co.in

2) Mr. Kunal, IAS, Nodal Officer,

Coordination for Movement of Migrants,

Government of Goa

covid-nodal.goa@nic.in

3) Minister of Civil Aviation,

Government of India

hm.moca@nic.in

 Sub.: Immediate Action Needed For Efficient Running of Shramik Express Trains 

We write to you with serious concern about the manner in which the migrant workers are being transported to their home state via the Indian Railways. We are aware that this is a large scale operation during a pandemic, but this does not take away from the State obligation to treat migrant workers as human beings wherever they may be from, and whatever work they may be doing.

This must get as much attention by way of precise planning and by way of respecting sensitivities as any other State obligation during the lockdown. It also entails coordination, so that arbitrary practices are eliminated.

In particular, we have noted the following:

(1) FOOD AT THE STATION/START OF THE JOURNEY: There have been some reports of food being provided way before the scheduled time of the commencement of the train journey. Hence by the time the train starts, it is already time for the next meal.

(2) DRINKING WATER: Drinking water is a critical requirement. This is not catered to adequately either before the start of the train and also in the train, and along the journey.

(3) AVAILABILITY OF WATER IN THE WASHROOM: Water in the washrooms is a dire necessity. It is chaotic if there is no water in any coaches of the train, as has been the case. This, ironically, when WHO Guidelines mandate constant washing of hands with soap and water.

(4) CLEAR INFORMATION REQUIRED AT ALL LEVELS: There is no clear information about departures of trains. Social media like Facebook and Twitter are not necessarily the media through which the migrant workers can be communicated to, and that too if the messaging is mostly in English and not the vernacular languages.

(5) CHAOS AT/OUTSIDE THE BOARDING POINT: Serpentine lines are seen outside Madgaon and Karmali stations. First come first serve basis, has created confusion, rush and unnecessary chaos.

(6) NO CLARITY OF ROUTES AND HALTS: To start with, train numbers are not provided on tickets. Similarly there is no clear information about train halts on the way. Consequently, the journeys are difficult to track. The train halts are arbitrary and unplanned. Not even the stations have full details in advance of any of these special trains. Planning of stoppage is mostly happening locally and might not follow the original list of scheduled stoppages. This does create confusion and does not enable proper planning. In fact even as currently is the case where food is provided through social initiatives, this provisioning is not possible because of clarity of routes and halts. As of now, NGOs who are providing food should have permission to go to the platform.

(7) NO VENDORS AT STATIONS: There are no vendors at stations who passengers can buy food from. To start with, why not restore the existing vendors at the railway station, or organize local vendors to sell food at the railway stations of Madgaon and Karmali? This will go some way both towards easing the difficulties of the migrant workers as well as towards livelihoods and economic revival.

 (8) POLICE ABUSE: To add to the distress of the people hoping to travel,  some of those waiting for the trains have had to face harsh verbal abuse by the police staff on duty at Karmali station, and perhaps elsewhere too.

Hence our appeal as follows:

A) to the Goa Government, that is, those things the State Government is responsible for at commencement point:

(1) Information on train timings to the migrants along with reporting time, to be given in the confirmed message/sms.

(2) Train numbers and route to be shared in the sms.

(3) Along with the confirmation sms, passengers should be provided with a token number as this would help to ease out the long queues and confusion. Also, token number 1-1600/no. of seats in the train to be entertained first and then lines can be opened for all.

(4) Where Madgaon or Karmali are stops for the trains coming from somewhere else, then ensure that there is food available on the platform for passengers coming from somewhere else.

(5) Provide food and water as people reach Madgaon/Karmali. Most travel 2-3 hours by local bus with last minute sms leaving no time to prepare food for the journey

(6) Arrangement of water to be given every few hours when people are standing in line.

(7) At least 100 volunteers per train to give information to people who are standing in the line for the train.

(8) Print and paste at multiple (at least 20) strategic locations: Train timings, train numbers, route and confirmed passenger list, so that people can avail information on their own

(9) Existing Railway helpline number 139 should be provided before the commencement of the journey

(10) Arrangement for Special Direct Bus from strategic locations like Mapusa, Pernem to Margao and Karmali on days of trains commencement

(11) The government must give clear guidelines to the police and other staff that those travelling must be treated with respect and compassion. Strict action must be taken against abusers.

 (B) to the Indian Railways:

(1) Food on the way - Ensure 3 meals per day to all passengers in all Shramik Express

Trains. Vendors MUST also be allowed on the platforms so they have their livelihood - either to sell food or to distribute the food (in case of the latter, the Government must pay). Please note vendors are NOT recommended for replacing state/railways supplying food, but in addition.

(2) Drinking water must be provided for in the train and freely distributed. Everyday at least 3

litres per person

(3) Adequate Water Supply in Toilets all throughout the journey.

(4) Ensure 139, the Railway Helpline number is functional to receive any complaints/queries/reporting from the running trains

We request you to remedy the above at the earliest. We repeat that we are fully aware that we have a pandemic situation, but that does not mean that migrant workers can become dispensables or casualties in this pandemic.

Finally, it is a matter of grave concern that the railways are taking such a long time to reach the migrant workers home, with people now waiting for weeks in Goa, in desperate circumstances and dependent on charity. Hence, since it has been announced that domestic flights will be starting from May 25, we demand that the government use this facility as well to reach workers home, without any charges. We also request the Aviation Ministry to make all necessary arrangements for the same.

 We hope that these urgent and humanitarian demands will be taken in the right spirit and be met immediately.

Yours sincerely,

The petition is signed by 

1. Amrita Sunita Anand 
2. Albertina Almeida 
3. Amita Kanekar 
4. Devsurabhee Yaduvanshi & 147 others.

COVID GUARDS GUARDING THE GOA  STATE BORDER
Panaji,Thursday:                                           
The State borders of Goa are guarded 24 hours a day, in order to keep the State safe from the corona virus i.e. Covid-19.
According to a spokesperson of Goa government on Thursday, a visit to Pollem and Mollem border check posts showed that the Goa Health department personnel along with the police personnel posted at border play a vital role in conducting in-depth screening of those entering and leaving the State.
Every precaution is taken at the border check post to ensure that no individual enter the State without undergoing the mandated screening for corona virus symptoms,including entering the details in the system.
Every person and vehicle entering and leaving the State is registered by the police and revenue department staff and the tests for Covid-19 is conducted by the officials of the Health Department staff and 108 emergency service.
Citizens registered on the website provided by the Government are allowed to enter the State only after checking their body temperature by thermal screening device. The person is then again taken to the nearest quarantine center established by the government,which is nearby to the place of residence of the person and re-tested using thermal screening and if no symptoms are found during such testing, then they are advised to be home quarantined at their own residence and due care is taken to ensure compliance of the same. If the body temperature of a person is found to be 99 degree Fahrenheit and above in the thermal screening test at the border, then oral swab test is carried out in the smart kiosk system provided at the check post and the test is forwarded for report and further procedures are undertaken accordingly.
All these facilities are made available in a special pavilion set up at the border and those entering the State are lined up maintaining proper social distancing.
The software data entry team records all the details in a computerized system. The Health department officials perform thermal screening as well as oral swab test, if required, and then further action is initiated.
A Gazetted Officer is posted as the Executive Magistrate at the border for every 12 hours duty and all the formalities are carried out under his supervision. Similarly, the Deputy Collector of the concerned taluka oversees all the arrangements. The officials of Excise, Transport and Food and Drug Administration Department discharge their duties at the check posts.
About 200 vehicles pass through each border in a day and it is ensured that every vehicle is thoroughly checked as per the protocol of the Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA),Government of India 2guidelines.
The spokesperson exuded confidence that the Government was doing its best to ensure that the corona virus does not inadvertently enter the State border and it would not be wrong to call them Covid guards at the border."

(If anyone finds any deviation from above procedures being followed at Goa borders,feel free to give your inputs with your name and contact number/email and time of the incident on 9422443093. No abuses/hearsay and speculations please).