60 Indian sailors stranded in UAE ports without salaries, CGI reveals

As many as sixty Indian sailors are stranded on various ships at the UAE ports and anchorages, Consul General of India in Dubai Mr. Vipul has reportedly said.

“These sailors are stranded on 13 or 14 vessels and have not been paid for months. They are living in very bad conditions on these vessels,” Vipul told Arabian Business.

According to the CGI, the sailors are not willing to leave unless they get their salaries. The Consulate has tried to get in touch with the vessel owners to resolve their issues, but the situation is quite complicated.

“The ships are registered in one country, while the owner is based in another country, which makes the issue far more complicated,” he said.

The CGI urged sailors not to fall prey to dubious agents in India.

“Sailors should check and verify the claims of these agents. It is in their interest to validate the job offers than blindly accept it,” he said.

In January, the plight of 41 sailors stranded in Ajman anchorage came to light after one of the sailor’s send a “SOS” tweet to India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

“We managed to convince some of these sailors to go back, however, there are some who don’t want to leave without getting their salaries,” Vipul said.

“We can provide them all consular help, but we are unable to pay them their salaries,” he added.

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