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                                               Seafarers' Welfare Fund

 
 1.0   The Seafarers’ Welfare Fund
On end December 2008, the Seafarers’ Welfare Fund (SWF) Act 2008 came into operation. It was created in order to cater for the social and economic welfare of seafarers in Mauritius and take over and manage the assets and discharge the liabilities of the Seafarer’s Welfare Fund established under the Merchant  Shipping (Seafarer’s Welfare Fund) Regulations 2002.

2.0   The Objectives of the Fund
Section 4 of the SWF Act lays down the objects of the Fund as follows:-
(a) to promote the social and economic welfare of seafarers in Mauritius, irrespective of the nationality of the seafarer and irrespective of the state in which the ship on which he is employed is registered;
(b) to develop schemes and projects for the welfare of seafarers and their families; and
(c) to take over and manage the assets and discharge the liabilities of the Seafarers’ Welfare Fund established under the Merchant Shipping (Seafarers’ Welfare Fund) Regulations 2002.

3.0   The Composition of the SWF Board
The Fund will be administered by a Management Committee and is presently made up as follows:
 ​
The Fund shall be administered and managed by a Board, to be known as the Seafarers’ Welfare Board, which shall consist of—
 
(a) a Chairperson, to be appointed by the Minister;
 
(b) a representative of the Ministry;
 
(c) a representative of the Association Professionelle des Agents Maritimes;
 
(d) a representative of the Mauritius Ports Authority;
 
(e) 2 representatives of any association of active seafarers, to be appointed by the Minister after   consultation with such association;
 
(f) a representative of ship owners, to be appointed by the Minister;
 
(g) a representative of Apostolat de la Mer, to be appointed by the Minister; and
 
(h) a representative from any association of retired seafarers, to be appointed by the Minister.
 
 
4.0 Eligibility criteria for a seafarer to benefit from the Welfare Schemes 2016:-

 
ACTIVE SEAFARER
In order to be eligible to benefit from the different schemes as an active seafarer the latter should meet the following requirements:-

        i.            The seafarer must be a Mauritian national and holder of a Mauritian   Discharge Book;

      ii.            The seafarer must be registered as an active seafarer with the Shipping Office and be registered in the database of the Seafarer’s Welfare Fund;

     iii.            The seafarer must not have been found guilty by a Court of law of any offence punishable by imprisonment;

    iv.            The seafarer must have contributed to the Group Life Savings Policy of SICOM Contributory Fund set up under the aegis of the Seafarers’ Welfare Fund.

      v.            The seafarer must have contributed the National Pension Fund for at least 3 years in order to benefit from any of the scheme of the Fund;

    vi.            The seafarer must not have taken up employment ashore in the public service, parastatal institution, with any local authority and in the private sector during the   preceding years.

  vii.            Any seafarer who is known to have been offered and refused employment on board any vessel on at least two (2) occasions without any justification will not be entitled to benefit from the different schemes.

 viii.            Any seafarer who misbehaves (use of abusive language etc.) within the premises of the Seafarers’ Welfare Fund or any related body (Shipping Office,  Ministry)will be subjected to disciplinary actions.

    ix.            Any active seafarers entering the maritime sector as from February 2016, must have sea service of at least three (3) years which shall be attested by a record of sea service obtained from the office of the Superintendent of Shipping;

      x.            The legitimate spouse and children of the seafarers will be eligible to the respective benefits.

 
RETIRED SEAFARER
In order to be eligible to benefit from the different schemes as a retired seafarer the latter should meet the following requirements:-
        i.            The retired seafarer should be above fifty five (55) years unless retired on medical ground;
      ii.            The retired seafarer should;
a.      Have served at least two third (2/3) of his active life at sea.
b.      Reckon an aggregate period of at least 10 years of sea-time including four (4) days monthly leave.
     iii.            Retired seafarers are entitled to all the benefits of the various schemes without any restrictions.
5.0    Schemes of the Seafarers’ Welfare Fund
 

A.     Birthday Gift Scheme for Seafarers

The Seafarers’ Welfare Fund has reviewed its Birthday Gift Scheme for seafarers.  A sum of Rs 7,544 will be paid as gift to every seafarer who will reach 60th Birthday or has celebrated his 60th birthday since 1st February 2016 and payment as per the following table will apply:

 
Age                                                                                         Amount (Rs)
61-79 (Excluding ages which are a multiple of 5)              2,058
65                                                                                                 3,429
70                                                                                                 4,801
75                                                                                                 6,173
80                                                                                                 7,544
81-94 (Excluding ages which are a multiple of 5)              3,429
85                                                                                                 8,916
90                                                                                               10,288
95                                                                                               11,660
96                                                                                               13,031
97                                                                                               14,403
98                                                                                               15,775
99                                                                                               17,146
100                                                                                             21,261
 
 
I     Mode of application

      Fill in the appropriate application and submit to the Seafarers’ Welfare Fund.
The following documents should be produced and photocopies submitted when depositing the application form;
·         Birth certificate of seafarer
·         National Identity Card of the Seafarer
·         Copy of Discharge Book of the Seafarer
 
  
B.  Dental Treatment Scheme for Seafarers
            
            The Seafarers’ Welfare Fund has reviewed its Dental Treatment Scheme for seafarers with effect from 1st February 2016.​
Under this scheme the beneficiary will be refunded up to 75% of cost incurred for normal dental treatment, up to a maximum amount of Rs 5,485 per year.
 
 
I           Mode of application

1)         The seafarer should fill in the appropriate application form for refund and submit it to the Seafarers’ Welfare Fund. 
 
2)         The following documents should be submitted with the application form:
a.       Copy of birth certificate
b.      Copy of National Identity Card of the Seafarer
c.       Copy of discharge book
d.      Prescription in original as well as evidence of payment
 
            Where photocopies of documents are required, originals should be produced when submitting application form.

  1. Educational Scheme for Children of Seafarers Attending Secondary School
The Seafarers’ Welfare Fund has reviewed its Educational Scheme to assist seafarers in providing a better education to their children attending secondary school since 1st February 2016.
 
The educational scheme is meant for the dependent children of both active and retired seafarers, who have passed the CPE examinations and attending a secondary educational institution on a full time basis. This scheme would cover the whole period of secondary education. The benefits to be disbursed under this scheme are as follows;
(a) a monthly stipend of Rs 763 per child; and
(b) a yearly allowance to purchase textbooks as indicated below;
 
Level
Amount
Form I
Rs  3,054
Form II
Rs  3,512
Form III
Rs  3,970
Form IV
Rs  4,275
Form V
Rs  5,344
Form VI (Lower and Upper)
Rs  6,107
 
II   Eligibility and criteria
 
(1)            The seafarer should be on the registered list of active or retired seamen.
(2)         The children of seafarer should already have obtained admission in a State owned or a PSSA recognized educational institution (except for fee paying secondary institutions).
(3)            The children should not be over 21 years old.
(4)            The children should not be drawing any remuneration.
(5)            The text allowance would not be payable for the period the beneficiary would have to repeat the same form/level more than once.
(6)          The benefits will cease immediately in case of expulsion of the student from the educational institution/or if the student fail to attend school for a prolonged time for no valid reason and has regular absences.
 
 
III        Mode of application
      
      1)   The seafarer should fill in the appropriate application form and submit to the Seafarers’ Welfare Fund. 
      2)   The following documents should be produced and photocopies submitted when depositing the application form;
a)       Birth certificate & marriage certificate of seafarer
b)       National Identity Card of the Seafarer
c)       Birth Certificate of son/daughter of seafarer
d)       National Identity Card of son/daughter (if available)
e)       Student Identity Card/student pass from the respective educational institution
f)        Attendance Certificate from the educational institution stating the form the student is admitted
g)       Copy of the Discharge Book of the Seafarer
 

AEducational Scheme for Children of Seafarers Attending a Vocational or Tertiary Institution

      The Seafarers’ Welfare Fund has reviewed its educational scheme since 1st February 2016.
      The educational scheme is meant for the dependent children of active and retired seafarers who are attending a vocational or tertiary educational institution on a full  time or part time basis.
      A monthly stipend will be paid to students as follows:-

Tertiary Institutions:
                                    Full time         Rs 3,817
                                    Part time        Rs 1,832
                                    Vocational-     Rs 763
II   Eligibility and criteria
      1)   The seafarer should be on the registered list of active and retired seamen.
      2)   The children of seafarer should already have obtained admission in an MQA, IVTB  approved or recognized educational institution.
      3)   The duration of the course, whether part time or full time, should at least be 6 months.
      4)   The age limit of the dependent children is 25 years.
      5)   The dependent should not be drawing any remuneration.
 
III     Mode of application
         (i)  The following documents should be produced and photocopies submitted when depositing the application form;
· Birth certificate & marriage certificate of seafarer
· National Identity Card of the Seafarer
· Birth Certificate of son/daughter of seafarer
· National Identity Card of son/daughter (if available)
· Student Identity Card from the respective educational institution
· Letter of enrolment and attendance from the educational institution;
· Time table of the course
· Copy of Discharge Book of the Seafarer
 
 
E.  Eye Treatment Scheme for Seafarers

The Seafarers' Welfare Fund has reviewed its Eye Treatment Scheme for seafarers with effect from 1st February 2016.
 
This scheme is meant for both the active and registered retired seafarers.  Under this scheme the beneficiary will be refunded 75% of cost incurred for eye treatment and purchase of frames, up to a maximum amount of Rs 6,303 every two calendar years.

I           Mode of application

 
The seafarer should fill in the appropriate application form for refund and submit it to the Seafarers’ Welfare Fund. 
 
2)   The following documents should be submitted with the application form:
       a.  Copy of birth certificate
       b.  Copy of National Identity Card
       c.  Copy of discharge book.
       d.  Prescription in original as well as evidence of payment
 
Where photocopies of documents are required, originals should be produced when submitting application form.
 
F.  Medical Scheme for Seafarers​

The Seafarers' Welfare Fund has reviewed its Medical Scheme for seafarers, since 1st February 2016.
 
Under this scheme the beneficiary will be refunded 75% of costs incurred for medical treatment up to a maximum of Rs 4,593 to Active Seafarer and a maximum of Rs 9,842 to registered retired seamen every calendar year
 
I           Mode of application

1)   The seafarer should fill in the appropriate application form for refund and submit it to the Seafarers’ Welfare Fund. 
 
The following documents should be submitted with the application form:
a.     Copy of birth certificate
b.    Copy of National Identity Card
c.     Copy of discharge book.
d.    Prescription in original as well as evidence of payment from medical practitioner and pharmacy.
 
Where photocopies of documents are required, originals should be produced when submitting application form.

Also note that the Medical scheme is applicable to the legitimate spouse of the seafarer.
  1. SCHEME FOR GRANT FOR SCHOOL COURSE FEES (PAYABLE TO TRAINING INSTITUTION) FOR ACTIVE SEAFARERS TO UPGRADE THEIR CERTIFICATES
The Seafarers' Welfare Fund Board, at its meeting held on 7 October 2015,   has decided to introduce a new scheme known as Scheme for grant for school course fees for seafarers.
 
Seafarers’ Welfare Fund Board is proposing to finance needy active seafarers 75% of their course fees one off up to a maximum of Rs 7500/- course fees payable to Mauritius Maritime Training Academy. The Seafarer to apply with Seafarers’ Welfare Fund for the course fees grant prior to attending any course. Claims Committee will process applications and Board to ratify applicants’ lists and courses lists.
 
Mode of application​

      1)   The seafarer should fill in the appropriate application form and submit to the Seafarers’ Welfare Fund. 
 
      2)   The following documents should be produced and photocopies submitted when depositing the application form;
a)       Birth certificate of seafarer
b)       National Identity Card of the Seafarer
c)       Letter of Admission/ Payment from School
d)       Copy of the Discharge Book of the Seafarer
 
H.    ADVANCE DEATH GRANT AND DEATH GRANT SCHEME
 
            An advance death grant of Rs 5,000 is allocated to Professional Seafarers Association and Old Seafarers Association. In case of obituary the associations will advance the advance death grant per case which will be deducted when payment of death grant is made.
 
A death grant as indicated below to the immediate heir/next to kin of a seafarer registered on the list of active & retired seafarers who passes away:
 
Rs 19,932 to the spouse having no child
Rs 26,576 to the spouse having one child under the age of eighteen
Rs 33,220 to the spouse having two children or more under the age of eighteen
 
6.0 WELFARE FOR FOREIGN SEAFARERS
 
1. Seafarers’ Welfare Fund will operate a Recreation Centre equipped with First aid kit, Wifi   Area, Gymnasium (treadmill, exercisers, Indoor games (pool, dominoes, cards, etc.), Free drinking water, Reading area and Praying area.
 
2. Offering tours on special occasions like Divali, Christmas, Eid, Independence Day, Seafarers Day, etc.
 
3. Financial assistance to distressed seafarers within a well defined framework.