Lens on migrant workers in houseboats

Alappuzha: Police here is gathering details of migrant workers in the houseboat industry here. Houseboat Owners Association said they received intimation seeking their details and they would submit it at the earliest.

As per the existing rules, the houseboat crew members must be trained in swimming and other emergency responsive measures, besides being capable of communicating with guests in a polite manner.

They should register with the port department which provides crew members with training and issue licence.  The data with the department says there are 5,500 registered workers on houseboats.

Deputy superintendent of police (DySP) M.E. Shajahan said many appoint migrant workers, particularly from North East, without proper information on the conduct of the person.

"We are on a mission to make such appointments after proper scrutiny to avoid problems for the industry," he said. "Apart from this, many hold no proper licence from the department to join houseboat crew. So we decided to collect their details."

There are some 1,000 houseboats in Alappuzha region alone, though the Vembanad Lake has no carrying capacity for them. K. Jayavijayan, an official of the industry body, said they were forced to appoint migrants for the shortage of local hands.

"We are convinced about the necessity of keeping their details," he said.
The unqualified crew causing accidents and drowning were ruining the region's status as a hub of houseboats offering safe cruise.

Inland Vessels Act 2010 stipulates three workers – two lascars, one srank and one driver - for each craft with a license issued after verifying their expertise in dealing with lifebuoys, lifejackets, fire extinguishers and other safety equipment. They have to be able to educate guests on wearing the gears.