The National Fishworkers’ Forum (NFF), a national federation of state level small and traditional fish workers’ unions of India, has discussed and reviewed plethora of issues concerning the industry and its workers in their National Executive Committee Meeting held at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala between 26-27 July 2014. NFF has adopted an action plan, which is briefed in their press release reproduced below for our readers. – Editor
Press Release:
1. Mapping the coastal villages: In view of the Governments’ inaction and increasing encroachments on fishing communities’ land by industries, tourism and land mafia it is resolved that all the member organizations of NFF will take up the exercise of mapping the coastal zones according to the requirement of CRZ 2011 in every village on the coast to ensure strict implementation of Coastal Zone Regulation (CRZ) 2011.
2. Fishers’ Rights Act: NFF has been demanding a ‘Fishers’Rights Act’. In view of the Government’s inaction in spite of its commitment to enact such an Act it is resolved that in every state the state unions of NFF will hold consultation on the proposed draft and thoroughly discuss the definitions, rights and mechanisms required under the law. These will be organised along with the state conventions and a national consultation will be organised in Delhi in the month of March 2015.
3. SEZ: It has come to the notice of NFF that in gross violation of the CRZ notification, many SEZs have been given clearances in coastal areas. These include the Adani SEZ in Gujarat, the Jindal SEZ in Maharshtra and the POSCO SEZ in Odisha. NFF opposes such blatant anti-fishworker move by the state governments and the central government and demand a complete ban of SEZs in CRZ zone and a review of the other costal SEZs, on a merrit basis in consultation with the local fishing community groups.
4. Ship Breaking Yards: Ship breaking is a proven hazardous industry that can have multiple adverse impacts on the fishing communities and ecology of the region. It is resolved to demand the government to stall all ship breaking yard proposals. NFF directs all the local NFF constituent member unions to take up the local resistance in this regard and make sure that India does not become a hazardous waste dumping ground.
5. Indo Srilankan fisher people issue: The Issue of Indian fishermen being arrested, harassed and their equipments confiscated by the Srilankan Navy continues, against all promises made. The talk between Indian and Srilankan fishermen is at stalemate. It is resolved that NFF would take it up with the union government and seek immediate intervention at the highest level.
6. Indo Pakistan fisher people issue: The Indian fishermen continue to get arrested by the Pakistani Marine Security Agency and the Pakistani Fishermen are arrested by the Indian Coastguards and the boats confiscated. In spite of the intervention of National Fishworkers’ Forum(NFF) and Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF), only a few of the fishermen are released from the prisons. It is resolved that NFF would continue the effort till the last fisherman is released. NFF also demands both governments to release the confiscated boats. NFF will propose a Maritime Economic Co-operation Agreement between the two governments, so that there is a permanent solution to the issue.
7. Budget deficiency: The budget presented by the new Union government is very disappointing. Though the BJP election campaign assured to meet some of fisher peoples’ demands, none were reflected in the union budget. NFF resolves to oppose this anti-fisher budget and send a condemnation note to the NDA government in this regard and demand immediate consideration and inclusion of the fisher peoples’ demands.
8. Ensure the kerosene supply: The Kerosene supply to the fishing communities has been grossly inadequate or absent in the states. NFF demands adequate supply of kerosene at cost price of production for the fishing purpose.
9. Delhi March: To press forward the fishing community demands it is resolved that NFF will organize ‘Delhi March’ in March 2015. Thousands of fishworkers from all over the country will converge on the capital of the country and demand immediate redressal of their demands.
Before the Delhi March state level conventions will be held in each and every coastal state to highlight the fishing community issues.
In Kerala under the banner of Kerala Swatantra Malsyathozhily Federation (KSMTF) a Boat Yatra from Kasargode to Thiruvananthapuram will commence on and from 21 to 30 November 2014 to highlight the protection of coast, coastal waters, water bodies and fisher people.
10. Representation in CRZ bodies: The CRZ 2011 clearly mentions that District Coastal Zone Committees shall be established in every state, with the participation of the representatives of the fishing communities. In many states the committees have not been constituted, in others those are constituted without involvement of fishing communities. It is resolved to urgently demand the state governments to constitute such committees with the inclusion of fishing community representation.
11. Monsoon trawl ban of fishing: To conserve the fish resources NFF proposes 90 days uniform fishing ban for the Western Coast states and separate but uniform 90 days for the Eastern Coast states. During the ban period the government must provide compensatory wages towards loss of pay. The right to compensatory remuneration for loss of pay should be as per Mahathma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Act, for both fishermen and fisherwomen.
12. Eye protection for fishers: It is now scientifically proved that the solar rays reflection of the sea affects the eyes of fishers on the sea at a very young age and this is noticed very late. It is resolved to demand that the state and central governments together come up with a plan of holding ophthalmology checkup in all the fishing villages and provide protection measures with necessary treatments for those who are fully or partially affected.
13. The NFF demands the Kerala State Government and relevant Central Government agencies to take appropriate remedial measures regarding the fears and issues raised by fisherpeople about the Vizhinjam International Sea Port
14. We oppose all Deep Sea Ports and other commercial ports that affect the fishing community and the coastal/marine eco habitats, like the Adani Mundra port, the Jindal port, POSCO Paradeep port and others.
15. We demand implementation of VGSSF (Voluntary Guidelines on Small Scale Fisheries adopted by FAO), for which Indian Government is a signatory.
16. Subsidised Diesel – NFF demands removal of BPL condition and500 ltr. Per month quota and diesel road tax to fishermen on subsidized supply of diesel to fishermen.
17. Ban Purse-seine fishing in all the coastal waters of the country.
18. NFF units will celebrate the Women Fishworkers Day on the Women’s day 8th March.
Sd/-
M. Ilango, Chairperson (09345455122)
Narendra Patel, General Secretary (09923241641)
Vasudev Boloor, Vice Chairperson (09449207805)
Purnima Meher , Vice Chairperson (09892838203
T. Peter, Secretary [08289905239]
Pradip Chatterjee, Secretary (09874432773)
Olencio Simoes, Secretary (09158875851)
