Roland Francis: Anybody know how Goan crew on cruiseliners are dying in droves??
What is the cause of death of so many young men? Response: A few years ago while flying from Goa to Bombay, I got into a casual conversation with my neighbour who happened to be a shippie. This is his story. Hailing from Candolim, he worked earlier as a Roomboy at Taj Fort Aguada. The job was seasonal from October to April coinciding with the peak foreign tourist arrivals. Thereafter he was laid off with no compensation.He heard from other shippies about the Caribbean Cruises and the grand pay and so decided to apply for a job. He was called for an interview which he attended at his own expense and was selected for the job. He joined the cruise at Miami at his own cost. He was made to sign a contract to work for 9 months with no holidays, including Sundays, no off-days, no leave. Working hours were of 16 hours per day. The base salary was low and the bulk was variable pay mainly made up of tips/ incentives. In a good month, the gross salary could go up to Rs 150,000. With food free and on the house, this was pure savings. Life aboard the Cruise Liner was tough. He had to clean and tidy up 30 rooms every day, twice, spread over two decks. Many of the passengers were filthy rich, selfish, arrogant and demanding. Any mistake or error would result in a complaint made against him, for which a part of his incentives would be deducted. He was on beck and call all day long. He had to pander to the whims and fancies of the passengers who would ask him to clean and tidy up their rooms at odd times. And so he had to go back and forth without rest. He was trained to accept that the customer was always right, even when he was wrong, and so had to endure their temper tantrums. His sole companions were fellow goans who worked in the kitchen. Fed up of eating the same rich food daily, his fellow goans would rustle up some goan homemade stuff which they enjoyed and relished. Emotionally and psychologically he was scarred with no family member close by in whom he could confide or share his troubles or difficulties. With no break even for a single day, even when the ship berthed at a port, it was nothing short of slave working conditions. He could not even go to Church to hear Mass during his period of contract. He had to keep his employers and passengers in good humour at all times as otherwise his contract would not get renewed after he enjoyed his break. After working for a few years and enduring the hardships, he got married and constructed a big, beautiful house in Candolim, and in the process exhausted all his savings. Just then misfortune struck. While climbing down the stairs aboard the ship, he missed a step and came tumbling down, in the process breaking the bone of his leg. He was given first aid and laid up in bed as there was no Orthopedic doctor on board. On reaching port after some days, he was taken to a doctor. The doctor attended to him and he was back on the ship. During the days when he was invalid, he received no wages. Once he was back on his feet, he realised that the surgery was not done properly. The bones were not set right and he was left with one leg short and a permanent limp. This made his work more difficult as now his speed and mobility was restricted. On completion of his contract, he flew down to India and immediately went to consult an Orthopedic surgeon. Unfortunately, by then the bones had set permanently, and the Orthopedic surgeon could do nothing. He was left scarred for life with a limp. In this condition he found it very difficult to work, but had no choice as his wife was now pregnant with their first child and he had little savings. So back he was on the ship living a life which he now hated. With no skills or education he was left with little choice. This is the kind of life shippies on cruise liners lead. Is it any wonder that many of them commit suicide? Regards, Marshall
