What is to be understood by the term “longer period of time” is to be determined in each individual case. Normally, the master can base his decision on a doctor’s statement. If, for example, the doctor declares the seafarer “unfit for duty” for a longer period of time on a “Medical Report”, it will normally be considered a reason for dismissal.
Seafarers who are ill or injured at the termination of the service on board, are entitled to receive sickness pay from the shipowner for as long as they are unfit for service – however no longer than for 16 weeks from the date of the unfitness for work.
Company-employed seafarers have the same entitlement to sickness pay though the seafarer concerned is not serving on board at the moment.
Unless otherwise agreed, sickness pay includes the basic pay and any age increment, pension contribution as well as any educational contribution.
However, sickness pay does not include allowances paid for special service or for especially hard and burdensome work or the like.