Mauritius: The official website of the Seafarers’ Welfare Fund (SWF) https://swf.govmu.org was launched by the Minister of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping, Mr Sudheer Maudhoo, this morning at the Trevessa House in Mer Rouge. Tablets to assist Board Members of the SWF in their duties and medical equipment to retired seafarers under hardship cases were also remitted on occasion.
The Chairperson of the SWF, Mr Doorjodhanlall Salandy, the Chairperson of the Mauritius Sailors’ Home Society, Mr Afzal Delbar, and other personalities were also present at the launching ceremony.
In his address, the Minister recalled that in December 2008, the Seafarers’ Welfare Fund Act 2008 came into force with the objectives to, amongst others: promote the social and economic welfare of seafarers in Mauritius, irrespective of the nationality of the seafarer and irrespective of the state in which the ship on which he is employed is registered and; develop schemes and projects for the welfare of seafarers and their families.
On this score, Mr Maudhoo stressed that the SWF has the important role of promoting the seafarers’ wellbeing since, according to him, it is with the help of seafarers that the world is connected.
Furthermore, the Minister outlined that there are many programmes offered to seafarers for their wellbeing, namely: educational schemes for children of seafarers; eye treatment schemes; stipends; medical schemes; a birthday gift scheme and; funeral grants.
The Minister seized this opportunity to dwell on some of the facilities offered to seafarers by the SWF in collaboration with his Ministry, including the purchase of a 15-seater mini bus put at the disposal of seafarers. On this note, Mr Maudhoo announced that in the coming months, a 30-seater minibus will be acquired to be used by local and foreign seafarers for sightseeing across Mauritius.
As regards the website, Minister Maudhoo emphasised that through this website, the SWF will not only be raising awareness about all its projects and activities within the seafaring community but among the population as well. “Local former seafarers will no more be required to attend the SWF office to collect grant application forms, but can download them at home itself in addition to obtaining all necessary information,” he pointed out.
He also indicated that the public, both locally and internationally, will be aware of all the services the SWF offers to seafarers and their families and that the website will be up to date with all announcements and events as regards the SWF, such as Independence Day celebrations, Seafarers’ Day and seminars.
For his part, Mr Salandy recalled that the SWF Office was previously located in Pointe aux Sables until the decision to move the SWF office to the Trevessa House was taken in 2021 with the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between the SWF and the Mauritius Sailors’ Home Society. All the facilities available at the Trevessa House will help the SWF to carry out its work in the best possible conditions, he stated.