The ILO and employment in the fisheries sector

Thiruvananthapuram:Fishing is a profession that requires much hard labour, does not guarantee earnings and has no job security. Fishermen endanger their lives to harvest fish and provide precious foreign exchange to the country. A seminar held at Thiruvananthapuram deplored the neglect suffered by this sector from the state and central governments.

TIn June, the ILO had organised a meeting on employment in the fisheries sector and India abstained from voting. The next ILO meet is scheduled for 2007. The seminar in Thiruvananthapuram was conducted in the backdrop of the failed ILO summit. The seminar urged the government to take a positive stand on issues concerning job security in the fisheries sector. The seminar, conducted at the Press Club Hall, was inaugurated by the NFF chairperson, Harekrishna Debnath. The President of the KSMTF, T Peter, chaired the seminar. The representative of the ICSF, Sebastian Mathew made the keynote address. NFF general Secretary, ND Kohli, KSMTF General Secretary, PP John, Lal Koilparambil, John JP, M Ambrose, Lourde Mary, Rajan Lazar, Freesca Kurishappan, Elizabeth Anthony, S Joseph, A Andrews, Sibi Pollayil, Anto Elias, Xavier Culas and Arch Paul addressed the gathering.