From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Sep 19: All the employees working on off shore casinos in the state would be termed as seafarers, if India accepts the Maritime Labour Convention adopted at Geneva, a senior official said.
 
“India is yet to endorse the convention adopted at Geneva. It has been endorsed by almost all the seafarer nations,” Dr Suresh Idnani, trustee, international committee on seafarers welfare, told reporters here.
 
Goa is the only Indian state to have ships mounted with the Casinos on it. The gaming ships are anchored in Mandovi river across capital city of Panaji, which has been gathering lot of opposition on moral and legal basis.
 
Dr Idnani said that currently only those staff maintaining the ship are covered as seafarers. “Once the convention is endorsed even those working as entertainers or on gaming tables or even security would be termed as seafarers,” he added.
 
Clarifying the contention that since casino ships don’t sail in the sea, the staff cannot be termed as seamen, Dr Idnani said that it is enough that ship floats in the water.
 
“Even if it floats in the water, the safety aspect comes into effect,” he said.
 
The casino operators, who are now skirting the opposition to their vessels contending that they provide employment to the locals, will have to hand over proper salaries and all the employment benefits covered under seafarers’ rules.
 
“They will have to give provident fund, gratuity and medical benefits even to their families,” Dr Idnani said.