‘Off-shipped’ seafarer’s woes on delayed benefits

Through the Inquirer, may I bring to the attention of President Aquino, concerned government officials and, most importantly, the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC)  the plight of Filipino seafarers like me who have been repatriated or forcibly disembarked or off-shipped because of “illness/accident on board,” but were not paid the benefits and other remuneration due us, as mandated by the Labor Code.

I was repatriated on Sept. 1, 2009, and was diagnosed by the Jebsen Maritime Shipping Inc. company doctor with “thoracolumbar spondylosis Compression deformity 112.” On March 5, 2010, seven months after repatriation, the company issued a statement that my illness was not work-related; and therefore I was not entitled to disability benefits.

I contested the company’s decision and was forced to file with the NLRC a complaint (docketed as NLRC Case No. LAC 01-000025-12). Last April 30, 2012, after two years of waiting, the NLRC finally issued a decision declaring that the illness was work-related and that I am entitled to disability benefits and hospitalization.

The maritime giant, Jebsen, filed a motion for reconsideration on May 24, 2012, but the NLRC upheld its prior decision and Jebsen’s  appeal was denied last June 18, 2012, for lack of merit. It was stated that no further motion of the same tenor shall be entertained.

After two long years of waiting, I sought the help of my friend at the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, who brought me to the Department of Labor and Employment. I hope and pray that I will be granted my disability benefits under the POEA Standard Employment Contract.

I am jobless right now and my children have been forced to stop their schooling. I am happy that there are people at the labor front, in government and the media who are blessed by God with the heart to help others, including  seafarers who are considered “Bagong Bayani ng Bayan.”

—EDGARDO N. PINEDA,

seafarer, [email protected]