6/8/2020
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The Court holds that respondent is entitled to claim permanent total disability benefits
based on his POEA-SEC and not based on their CBA as earlier ruled by the L.A. and
later affirmed by the CA.
The CBA provisions on disability are not applicable to respondent’s case because Article
28 thereon specifically refers to disability sustained after an accident. Article 28 of the
ITF-JSU/AMOSUP CBA specifically states that:
Article 28: Disability
28.1 A seafarer who suffers permanent disability as a result of an
accident whilst in the employment of the Company regardless of fault,
including accidents occurring while travelling to or from the ship, and whose
ability to work as a seafarer as a result thereof, but excluding permanent
disability due to wilful acts, shall be in addition to sick pay, be entitled to
compensation according to the provisions of this Agreement. [Emphasis
supplied]
Respondent failed to show that the blurring of his left eye was caused by an accident on
board the ship. Thus, Article 28 of the CBA cannot be used to compute his disability
benefits.
Accordingly, what should govern the computation of his disability benefits is the POEASEC incorporating the 2000 POEA Amended Standard Terms and Conditions. Under
Section 20 (B), paragraph 6, of the 2000 POEA Amended Standard Terms and
Conditions, to wit:
SECTION 20. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
xxxx
B.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS FOR INJURY OR ILLNESS
The liabilities of the employer when the seafarer suffers work-related
injury or illness during the term of his contract are as follows:
xxxx
6.
In case of permanent total or partial disability of the seafarer
caused by either injury or illness the seafarer shall be compensated in
accordance with the schedule of benefits enumerated in Section 32 of
this Contract. Computation of his benefits arising from an illness or
disease shall be governed by the rates and the rules of compensation
applicable at the time the illness or disease was contracted. [Emphases
and underscoring supplied]
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