Fishermen’s organization gives priority to workers’ welfare, calls off strike

Ramanathapuram: Fishermen unions in Rameshwaram in Ramanathapuram district have temporarily called off the strike against the imprisonment of five Indian fishermen by Sri Lanka, keeping in mind the welfare of over 15,000 allied workers. The strike, which lasted nine days, left workers in distress, with some looking for alternative employment in Kottaipattinam and Kerala.

Following the arrest and imprisonment of five Indian Tamil fishermen by Sri Lanka, fishermen’s associations in Rameshwaram called for an indefinite strike from February 17, with members also going on a hunger strike. After Ramanathapuram MLA assured to fulfill their demands and provide compensation to the affected families, the association decided to temporarily call off the strike.
According to the fisheries department, there are over 400 mechanized boats in Rameshwaram, which catch an average of over 400 tonnes of fish per day in the coastal town alone. Due to the strike, fishing business in Rameshwaram was affected.
“There are around 8,000 fishermen, including boat drivers, in Rameshwaram, though some have started working in Kottaipattanam and Kerala for the time being. But many remain unemployed. Apart from the fishermen, around 15,000 support staff are also involved in loading, ice barging, “These include work like construction and local sales. Due to the strike, many workers have faced distress as they have been without work for the last nine days,” said CR Senthilvel, state secretary of the fishermen’s wing of AITUC.
Senthilvel said that to address the long-standing issues, the central government can provide deep sea boats at concessional rates, thereby reducing the huge amount of fishing in the Palk Strait.