ALU pushes increased aid for families of Princess crew

On behalf of the families of the deceased crew of the ill-fated M/V Princess of the Stars as well as the 228 laid-off employees, the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines forwarded a letter yesterday to Sulpicio Lines, Inc. requesting financial assistance to be given to the beneficiaries.

Josefina “Joy” Lim, the director of education and information of ALU, said that they are asking reconsideration from SLI on their initial reaction about the request.

SLI wanted to limit the benefits receivable of crew members based on the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

“In a company na may union, the company is bonded by the CBA. There are economic and political provisions governing the labor union and the management,” Lim stated.

According to Lim, SLI said that the CBA could only provide cash assistance worth P104,428 to each family of the deceased employees. This is because the amount comprises not only life insurances but also provisions from the Social Security System and the Pag-Ibig Fund.

Benefits provided in the CBA to the deceased employees summarize life insurance worth P40,000; burial assistance worth P3,000; and the death benefit which means 28 days pay for every year of service except those qualified for compulsory retirement amounting to P22,428.

SSS will also provide funeral benefit worth P20,000 and the Employees Compensation Commission’s funeral benefit worth P10,000. Pag-Ibig is to give P6,000 for burial benefits also.

ALU will provide death aid amounting to P12,000 to unlicensed crew.

However, the union felt that the total amount is considerably low from the P200,000 which is being requested by the families themselves as compensation and assistance. Because of this, ALU is asking Sulpicio to increase the amount of assistance to be given.

With regards to the 228 crew of the grounded Sulpicio vessels, they are “temporarily laid off” according to Lim. She further said that they are urging the Maritime Industry Authority to allow the Sulpicio vessels to sail again for the benefit of the laid-off crew.

ALU is also asking the Department of Labor and Employment as well as the Department of Social Welfare and Development to extend financial assistance. Moreover, they are asking the said government agencies to help them push their request and have the laid-off crew reinstated. — Cressida Paula G. Delmo/MEEV