Alappuzha: With misfit migrant workers being accommodated as crew members in houseboats, the district police has begun a crackdown on illegal migrant crew members in the sector.
Police has asked all houseboat owners here to make details of migrants available before they are appointed. According to existing rules, crew members must be trained in swimming and other emergency responsive measures and also be capable of communicating with guests effectively in a polite manner.
Apart from this, as per the rule, they should be registered with the port department which is the current authority in giving crew members training and issuing a licence. According to the data available with the Port department, there are 5500 registered crew members currently on houseboats.
Mr M.E Shajahan, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy.SP) (administration) said that migrants from other regions particularly the North East were being appointed without proper information. Apart from this, many crew members do not have a proper licence. “So we have decided to collect details of migrant crew members and have asked all houseboat owners to submit details about a crew member before being appointed”, the Dy. SP said.
Meanwhile, the Inland Vessels Act, 2010, stipulates each cruising houseboat has to have at least three workers – two lascars, one syrang and one driver. The law also says the licence shall be issued only after verifying their expertise in dealing with lifebuoys, lifejackets, fire extinguishers and other safety equipment.
Mr T K Sajeev, state general secretary, Kerala houseboats and resorts workers union admits the influx of migrant workers has led to a situation where licensed crew members might lose their livelihood.
