Compensatory trial must take place in Manila
A High Court has rejected a Filipino marine engineers appeal to have his injury compensation trial in Singapore, ruling that the Philippines is a more appropriate place for the trial.
The Business Times reports the engineer in this case signed two employment contracts before joining the general cargo ship Rainbow Joy, which is owned by a Panamanian company but managed by Hang Woo Ship Management Ltd of Hong Kong. The first contract was made on the Philippines Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) standard form and was signed in Manila. The second contract (the Hong Kong contract) was signed to comply with the laws of Hong Kong. Under the POEA contract, the law of the Philippines applied and disputes were to be resolved by arbitration in the Philippines. It also set out a minimum sum payable to a seafarer where there has been injury or death. Full report in The Business Times