Filipino Seafarers May Refuse Sailing In 'War-Risk' Middle East: Migrant Workers Official

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) [Editor's Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog amid US-Israel-Iran war for the latest regional developments.]

The Philippine government has advised Filipino seafarers that they have the right to refuse to sail in“war-risk zones” amid the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war. This means seafarers may demand that ship officials and shipping companies disembark them if their boats are scheduled to sail through the Strait of Hormuz, Arabian Gulf, and Gulf of Oman.

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The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) issued Advisory No. 11, granting the country's more than half-a-million seafarers the“right to refuse sailing” privileges.

The Philippines is the largest global maritime workforce supplier in the world, with roughly 25 to 30 per cent of seafarers in the world.

The DMW asserts the advisory agrees with the Warlike Operations Area Committee (WOAC) of the International Bargaining Forum (IBF) declaring the Gulf area a dangerous place for seafarers, as several ships have been attacked by both Iranian and US missiles and torpedoes.

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The DMW advised affected seafarers to also demand increased security arrangements with their employers.

DMW secretary Hans Leo Cacdac also said that, should a seafarer is injured or dies while the advisory is in effect, their families are to receive“double compensation.”

The directive is in keeping with the 2003 IBF agreement by maritime employers and seafarers' unions to negotiate wages, benefits, and employment conditions of seafarers, the official said.

There are about 1,000 to 1,650 ships, including over 150 tankers and nearly 140-150 container vessels, currently stranded or experiencing significant navigation issues in the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.

This is due to Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz following joint attacks by the US and Israel starting February 28, affecting roughly 20,000 seafarers and 15,000 cruise passengers.

The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) and the Joint Negotiating Group (JNG), IBF social partners on the safety and welfare of maritime workers, said on March 2 that ship owners must not forget that seafarers are civilian workers.

“They must never be exposed to military risk or used as leverage in geopolitical conflict. Their safety must come before all commercial considerations,” the groups said.

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