Fishermen labour union stage protest demanding release of savings-relief fund

Demanding immediate disbursement of the National Fishermen Savings-cum-Relief Fund and lean fishing season relief fund, members of Tamil Nadu Fishing Labourers Union – All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) staged a sit-in protest here on Tuesday.  

The protesters emphasised the need for immediate relief to the 6,957 fishermen in Ramanathapuram district who have been excluded from receiving the National Fishermen Savings Relief Fund and the lean fishing season relief fund. 

C.R. Senthilvel, National vice-president of the All-India Fishermen Association, said, other than the fishing season, the remaining time like fishing ban period and natural calamities, they would have no income. 

“With no sound economic background and zero work experience in other line of works, the fishermen are solely dependent on fishing and the sea,” he added.  

While people in other fields like agriculture and construction, during off-season period, would jump on to other jobs related to their fields. As this is not the case with fishermen, they cannot find any relevant jobs during other times of the year, he stated.  

“Only to support the fisherfolk community during lean season and off-season does the relief fund scheme was introduced. But, delaying it for years together hampers the life of the fisherfolk community,” Mr. Senthilvel noted.  

To address the delay in disbursement, the State government should immediately step in to study the existing gaps in survey and implementation, he demanded.