SC awards ailing seaman P3M

The Supreme Court has awarded an ailing seaman $60,000, or some P3 million in disability benefits for work-related illness that he contracted while serving as crane operator for a cement-carrying international vessel. The High Court Second Division, in a ruling written by Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales, affirmed an earlier ruling by the Court of Appeals ordering the manning firms, Wallem Maritime Services Inc. and Scandic Shipmanagement Ltd., to compensate Eriberto Bultron for his work inflicted illness.

Bultron in his complaint said his employer failed to provide safety measures and protective gears during his employment.

Court records showed that Bultron was hired in February 1999 as crane operator for the cement-carrying vessel MV Eastern Falcon. In the course of his employment, Bultron suffered chronic coughs because of cement dust.

Despite the company doctor’s advice of “further management” after finding infiltrations in his lungs and an enlarged heart, his employers (Wallem and Scandic) allowed Bultron to continue his work until his contract expired.

Bultron filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Commission, which ruled in his favor. His employer was ordered to pay disability benefits in the amount of $60,000, or its peso equivalent. –William B. Depasupil, Manila Times