SUR helped a seafarer get $4,500

SUR Primary Organization of Vladivostok began the new 2022 year from considering the appeal  from the 3d Officer, who suffered an injury to his left hand while working on board “Fair Skies” (IMO 9284386, the flag of the Marshall Islands), but his employer did not pay off  his sick leave and medical expenses in full.

The seafarer  joined the vessel on July 14, 2021. On August 18, when the ship was undergoing  repair at the Batam (Indonesia) coast, he was injured. He had surgery at a local hospital and then sent home. Upon returning in Vladivostok, the seafarer had a second surgery and  underwent  rehabilitation treatment. According to the seafarer,  shipowner’s  representative assured him that the accident had happened to him was  an insured event and there would be no any problems with subsequent compensation for treatment costs, as well as with  payment of sick leave as in accordance with the terms of the contract.

“However, the seafarer got the compensation only a month after he had  submitted relevant checks and documents. Moreover, the employer reimbursed him just a part of the costs incurred”  - the Chairman of SUR Primary Organization of Vladivostok said.

In early December 2021, the 3d Officer sent copies of the receipts supporting  medical  expenditure to the company and asked  when he would receive the rest of the money due to him. But he could not get any response from the Singaporean company.

The seafarer found himself  in a difficult financial situation and turned to SUR. According to his calculations, the company had to compensate him $3,650. This amount included medical expenses and sick leave pay for 2.5 months.

“The seafarer gave us all  necessary documents and we got in touch with the shipowner.  The Union had to explain the shipowner that he is responsible for paying the sick leave and medical expenses of the employee in accordance with the Maritime Labor Convention, and demand the company to pay the seafarer owed money as soon as possible” - Pyotr Osichansky commented. 

It should be noted that the Singaporean company reacted to the union's demand immediately:  the seafarer received $4,526 on the 19th of  January. 

 “Thank you very much! Probably, without your help this whole situation regarding the  compensation would have continued”, -  the 3d Officer wrote to  SUR.

Source: sur-vl.ru; photo: marinetraffic.com