Amid concerns over the security of Indian navy professionals working on foreign ships, the Centre today informed the Delhi High Court that the "safety and protection" of the sailors were being "tightened".
The Centre's response came on a petition alleging that various agencies were "trafficking" technical navy professionals to foreign ships and making them work without proper safety and security.
The affidavit filed before a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice P S Teji said that the "Merchant Shipping Act 1958 contains provisions for registration, certification, safety and security of Indian ships and seafarers in the manner best suited to serve the national interest".
"The Merchant Shipping (Recruitment and Placement of Seafarers) Rules, 2005 provides a mechanism for monitoring and controlling the activities of the licenced agencies under these rules," central government standing counsel Monika Arora said.
"Yet the aspect of security of the rights of all seafarers to decent employment could not be enforced by a manpower- providing country on the foreign flag vessels for want of limitation of jurisdictional aspect," the affidavit added.
Earlier, the court had sought response from the Shipping Ministry and External Affairs Ministry on the public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a mother who lost her 22-year-old son after a ship with 15 Indian sailors on board exploded off Nigeria's territorial waters.
The affidavit filed by an official of the Shipping Ministry said, "As such with these actions, the process of placement of Indian seafarers on board vessels particularly on foreign flag vessels and their security and protection are being tightened and welfare of Indian seafarers will be largely covered.
