PALESTINIAN LABOUR LAW Ahmed T. Ghandour.

NINTH CHAPTER WORK INJURIES AND OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES.

THE ROLES OF COMPENSATION FOR INJURED WORKERS.

 Article (119)  If the work injury prevented the worker from performing his/her work, he/she shall be entitled to (75%) of his/her daily wage starting from the date such injury took place and during the whole period of his/her temporary disability, provided that such disability to work does not exceed (180) days.

THE COMPENSATION FOR THE ABSENCE OF WORK DUE TO INJURY.  It is the right of the injured worker to be compensated for his absence of work due to his injury; and in this case he is entitled to be paid 75% of his daily wage from the date of the accident up to 180 days, in this period he may totally recovered.  We must pay attention to expression (daily wage), which I think it refer to full wage which is mentioned in article 1.  The Wage:  The full wage, which includes the basic wage, added to it the applicable bonuses and allowances.  Also we must know that the year equals = 356 days, the month = 30 days, and the week = 7 days.

AN EXAMPLE FOR SUCH CASE.  An injured worker who is resaving a 80 NIS a day and was absent of his work for a 120 days without any disability and the employee paid all his recovery expenses. Is he entitled to any compensation?  Yes according to article 119 of the law; he must resave 75% of his wages for that period.  80 x 120 x 75% = 7200 shiqel.

 Article (120)  1. If the work injury resulted in the death or in a permanent total disability, the heirs in the first instance and the injured worker in the second one shall be entitled to a cash compensation that is equal to the wage of (3500) working days or (80%) of his/her basic wage for the remaining period until he/she reaches the age of sixty years, whichever is greater.  2. If the work injury resulted in a permanent partial disability, the injured worker shall be entitled to a cash compensation, which equals percentage of such disability compared to the permanent total disability.  3. If the work injury resulted in more than one permanent partial disability, the injured worker shall be entitled to a cash compensation for the total percentages of the disabilities, provided that the total amount of such compensation does not exceed the compensation prescribed for the permanent total disability.

THREE DIFFERENT ASSUMPTIONS.  Article talked about compensation in three different assumptions:  1. In the case of death or injury caused a 100% (a permanent total) disability.  2. Secondly; in this case a permanent partial disability resulted of a work injury.  3. Thirdly; more than one permanent disability had occurred of a work injury.

EXAMPLE FOR THE FIRST CASE.  A case of worker of the age of forty and his basic daily wage is 60 NIS ; who had injured during his work, spent 50 days in hospital and paid 5000 NIS for the costs of treatment, then he died last day.  So his family is entitled to get compensation according to article 120, which offers two solutions:  1) for the sick leaf: 50 x 60 x 75% = 2,250.  For the death compensation: 3500 x 60 =210,000.  Total: , , (funeral cost) = 220,250 NIS.

 2) 80% of his wages for the rest of his age to 60.  20 (years) x 365 x 60 x 80% = 350,400.  Total: 350, , = 360,650 NIS.  So the second case is better for the heir.

 Article (121)  According to the provisions of this Law, the Medical Committee shall assess the percentage of disability resulting from the work injury under the provisions of the relevant applicable Law or regulation at the time such injury took place.

 Article (122)  The injured worker shall have the right to contest the decision estimating disability percentage or the decision related to his/her return to the work within thirty days from the date on which he/she is notified of such decision.

 Article (123)  1. The right of the injured worker to the compensation shall be cancelled and dismissed if it was established according to an investigation conducted by a competent body that the injury had resulted from the following:  a) The deliberate action by the injured.  b) The influence of alcoholic substance or narcotics.  2. In case of death or permanent disability of (35%) or more, the above provisions, stated in paragraph (1) shall not be applicable.