Goa, June 26 -- A delegation of the Goan Seamen Association of India (GSAI), led by President Joseph Fernandes, Secretary Michael Benny Da Costa, and former President Dixon Vaz, met Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in Panjim to raise key welfare issues affecting Indian seafarers.

During the meeting, the delegation submitted two memorandums seeking the Centre's intervention on the implementation of an old-age benefit scheme for seafarers and the issue of the reported US$15 deduction from the wages of Indian employees working on cruise ships.

The meeting was also attended by Goa Ports Minister Digambar Kamat and NRI Commissioner Adv. Narendra Sawaikar, who were present during the submission of the memorandums.

The GSAI delegati...