Being in this profession, there is always a concern for your family’s health and future at home, surely all of you must have thought of some backup support even with you on shore. This post is about one such organization/union which works for the welfare of you and your family.
Table of Contents
What is MUI?
The Maritime Union of India (MUI) represents Merchant Navy Officers who are its members. They are affiliated with the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), London, the U.K. It is also affiliated with the Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), New Delhi, which represents a very large section of workers from various industries in India.
The Union has a Branch office in Kolkata, and liaison offices in Chandigarh, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, and Tuticorin.
What is the objective of this Union?
- To work for and ensure fairness of work and wage conditions for our members
- To encourage and support women seafarers to build up their professional values and dignity.
- Provide protection of Certificate of Competency (CoC) of members to support legal costs in case of Marine Court of Inquiry, suspension, and other stipulated consequences reflecting directly on the CoC.
- Providing the required stipulated assistance, and guidance, to its members in a smooth and efficient manner.
- Provide guidance in taxation, legal and medical awareness through qualified professionals.
What are the membership eligibility and charges?
To become a member you have a valid Certificate of Competency (CoC) i.e. you have to be a merchant navy officer. Download and fill this “form” and mail it to the address
Udyog Bhavan, 4th floor,
29, Walchand Hirachand Marg, Ballard Estate,
Mumbai – 400 001
9082731008; membership@maritimeunionofindia.com
or you can do it online. For first-time members, the entrance fee is 500/- and the annual fee is 1800/-. Check the other details.
You may be a member already if your management company has already paid the fees on your behalf. Just confirm before enrolling.
What are the benefits of membership?
- Free delivery of quarterly home journal ‘The Oceanite’, containing maritime news, M.S. notices, articles relevant to shipping, and general topics.
- Limited financial support for medical treatment to immediate family members of member officers (wife and 2 children- up to the age of 18 to 25).
- MUI will extend assistance in all ports through our affiliates and fraternal unions.
- Provided legal and financial assistance in case of suspension, cancellation, or replacement of his/her Certificate of Competency, subject to various terms and conditions.
Also Read
Seaman’s Provident Fund (SPF) – Interesting facts unheard of
What are the medical benefits?
The Merchant Navy Officers’ Welfare Fund
The Maritime Floating Staff Welfare Trust
The Merchant Navy Officer’s Welfare Fund(For Indian Officers Serving In Indian Flag Companies).
Eligibility:
- Medical Reimbursement assistance applies to all Merchant Navy Officers who have not retired from service, are employed in Indian Shipping Companies, and sail on INSA-MUI.
- Officers, Wives, and their 2 kids (up to the age of 25 years and unmarried) are entitled to the benefits of the scheme subject to the condition that they are unemployed and solely dependent on the officer. Dependent Parents, brothers, Sisters, and Relatives of the Officer will not be entitled to the Medical benefits.
- Officers’ wives who are employed and who are covered under the Medical Facilities available from their companies, also if the officers’ family is covered under the medical Insurance Companies then the Medical Benefits will stand to the difference between the two scales.
- The officer and his family will cease to be beneficiaries of the fund taking up Shore occupation, or joining a foreign company.
Treatments:
- Convalescent Homes: The Merchant Navy Officers Welfare Fund provides Convalescent Homes for officers and their families (i.e. Officer, wife, and their children) at Matheran, Mahabaleshwar, Tithal (Valsad), Goa, Lonavala. Visit “here” for more details.
- Medical professionals staff convalescent homes and provide short-term care and recovery for patients after surgeries and long-term illnesses. These facilities can be freestanding hospitals or hospital-based units and are a lower-level extension of hospital care.
- Domiciliary treatment: Domiciliary treatment: Under the head of Out Patient Department (OPD) Claims for different treatments will be reimbursed (Officer, Wife & 2 Kids).
- Dental Treatment: Under this head, Dental Treatment Reimbursed (Officer, Wife & 2 Kids).
- Maternity Treatment: Maternity expenses will be reimbursed for two pregnancies Only. This Include Pre-natal, Delivery, and post-natal treatments (All expenses included).
- Hospitalization Treatment: This treatment cover Charges which include registration, Bed/Room, Stay Charges, Operation Theater, Investigation, Medicines, Surgeon Fees, and Consultation Fees (Officer, Wife & 2 Kids).
- Major Surgical treatment: This treatment includes Cancer, Kidney Transplant, Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery, Angioplasty, Replacement of Major Joints Like Hips, Knees Shoulders, Elbows, replacement of Heart Valves, Neurological Treatment of the brain, Blood Cancer Treatment which will be a one-time payment and no further claims will be considered for that specific Illness. (Officer, Wife & 2 Kids).
- Day Care Treatment: This treatment includes cataract Surgery, Angiography, Lithotripsy, Endoscopy, and Dialysis, Day Care treatment where the patient has to stay in the hospital for a few hours (within 24 hours) and be discharged on the same day (Officer, Wife & 2 Kids).
other benefits
Education Reimbursement: assistance is applicable for all Merchant Navy Officers’ who are not below the age of 18 years and who have not retired from service, Subject to the Contribution received by the Shipping Company on behalf of the sailing Officer. Education Reimbursement is applicable to such Officers’ Kids (2 Kids) pursuing their Professional Courses. (i.e. B.Tech /M.Tech/ C.A., etc, for more details kindly contact our office) Reimbursement will only be given once for one course.
The Maritime Floating Staff Welfare Trust(For Indian Officers Serving In Foreign Flag Companies.)
Eligibility:
- In a normal scenario, the trust supports the medical treatment after your sign-off for (10 x months served on board) days i.e. 60 days of cover for 6 months of onboard service.
- But if your vacation is extended only for MOT(CoC) exams then you can get 10 months extra cover to 60 days, for the first attempt only.
- The trust covers the support for the officer, wife, and two children up to 21 years of age and not parents or siblings.
- Officers signing off on medical grounds should contact their company as they are insured by their employers. Treatment continued after completing 130 days can be submitted to the Trust office for reimbursement subject to the Trustee’s approval
- Medical support for reimbursement should be submitted immediately after the recovery from illness/s but not exceeding 60 days. Claims that will be submitted after 60 days need prior intimation to the Trust office with a cover letter or via email stating the reason for a late submission.
Treatments:
- Booking for the Convalescent Homes is done only from the Mumbai office one month prior to the visit.
Lonavala, Raichak (Kolkata), Mussourie - Domiciliary Treatment: Inclusive of consultation, medicines, and investigation. Maximum Payable of Rs 8,000/- per annum
- Dental Treatment: Reimbursement up to 75% of the total amount but not exceeding Rs 10,000/- per annum
- Daycare Treatment: Treatments of minor surgeries in hospitals or nursing homes where the patients get discharged within 12 hours. Surgeries like Cataracts, Lithotripsy, Endoscopic procedures, or minor illnesses where hospitalization is not required.
- Maternity Benefits: Covers two deliveries with max payables of Rs 50,000/-. Twin delivery, miscarriage, and abortion are treated as one maternity.
- Hospital treatment: Hospitalization support to each beneficiary will be Rs 1,50,000/- subject to other factors.
- Major Surgical treatment: Treatments like Cancer, Open and Close heart surgery, Angioplasty, Replacement of Heart Valve, Kidney transplant, Neurosurgery, Total knee replacement, Neurological treatment of the brain, and Blood cancer inclusive of all the hospitalization and surgeon/physician fees will be payable with an upper cap of Rs 5,00,000/-.
Follow-up treatment support arising out of Hospitalization will be considered up to a maximum period of 3 (three) months from the date of discharge from the hospital. Medical support submitted for reimbursement below Rs. 1000/- will not be considered
Conclusion
In conclusion, the benefits of Maritime Union of India cannot be overlooked. From enhancing safety and security to improving working conditions and promoting professional development, this union plays a crucial role in the maritime industry. By joining forces, maritime professionals can work together towards a common goal, ensuring a strong and prosperous future for the industry.
So, if you found this post informative and insightful, we encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences by leaving a comment below. Let’s keep the conversation going and continue supporting the maritime union of India.
