Suva Magistrate Ajmal Gulab Khan has upheld workers rights under the Workers Compensation Act in regards to determining compensation on the extent of injuries sustained to an employee's hand.

In his ruling Magistrate Khan states that on April 5th 2004, Vinod Kumar who was employed at Humes Industries suffered personal injuries in an accident when a blade in a Silo hit his middle finger and ring finger.

Humes Insurer deposited $4,875 with the Labour department but disputed the assessment for injuries sustained to two fingers under the Workers Compensation Act and refused to pay the additional $524.94 which Kumar was entitled to.

Magistrate Khan said the medical report assessed Kumar's injury as 5% permanent incapacity and notes that under the Act on injury to the hand where two digits are injured the compensation percentage is increased by 20% of the total sum.

He said Kumar is entitled to the remainder of the sum of $524.94 and also assessed costs at $800 which his employer must now pay.