The National Coastal Movement has urged the State government to recognise fisherwomen as workers and provide them with a Fisheries Department Identification Card and enlist them as members of the Fisher Welfare Board.
Speaking at a seminar to mark International Rural Women’s Day here recently, experts also highlighted the need to provide fisherwomen with a compensation during non-fishing periods.
The women speakers also highlighted that the government turned a blind eye towards the needs of women during a disaster. “It is only the men who get compensation,” they rued.
A resolution which was passed by the National Coastal Movement also stressed the need for an insurance package of one lakh for those coastal women who met with fatal accident and proper compensation for the loss of limbs.
It was also suggested that a pension scheme be enforced for all single women workers without any age limit and for all fisher women from the age of 55.
Also present on the occasion were Esther Willliams and Jacinta Chitra of Action Aid.
