The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) and the Joint Negotiating Group (JNG), together with the social partners International Bargaining Forum (IBF), have designated the Strait of Hormuz and the surrounding waters as a High Risk Area the state of belligerence between the United States, Israel and Iran and the growing instability in the region. ITF and JNG have specified that this designation reflects the rapid deterioration of security in the region, which sees over 200 boats currently anchored in the Strait or its and takes note of confirmed reports of attacks on commercial ships and the growing risk to seafarers.

The designation of High Risk Area activates measures of enhanced protection for seafarers covered by the IBF operating in or near the waters concerned. In in particular, shipowners and operators must carry out assessments of the risks before transit, provide the clear and timely information on the conditions of security, ensure that all contractual protections, are fully implemented, and work with crews and their representatives on the travel planning and risk mitigation. In addition, the IBF's Warlike Operations Area Committee (WOAC) agrees to include in the existing conditions for the High Risk Area the right of seafarers to refuse to sail for area.

Stressing that "all transport workers in the regions, whether at airports, ports, on ships or in any other role in the transport sector, the secretary General of the ITF, Stephen Cotton, specified that "the seafarers on board ships sailing in the Strait of Hormuz and in its vicinity, or who intend to approach the Strait, must be protected, guaranteeing them the right to refuse to set sail in what the ITF believes is clearly becoming an Area of War Operations. The ITF is working with our maritime partners to ensure that seafarers receive the information and safeguards they urgently need, including right to avoid the area".

ITF and JNG said they are closely monitoring developments and in the coming days they will continue to collaborate precisely for a possible passage of the area to Warlike Operations Area, a designation that would activate further protections for seafarers.

Meanwhile, ITF and JNG have urged all parties to respect the international law, to protect civil navigation and to take immediate measures to ease the tension.

For its part, the International Transport Workers' Federation has also joined the appeal of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) in calling for an immediate ceasefire, a Full de-escalation by all parties and urgent initiation of diplomatic negotiations based on international law. 'The ITF and the entire trade union movement - said Cotton - condemn the continuing series of military actions and retaliations that are pushing the region towards a wider conflict, civilian lives and threatening peace, stability and security far beyond the Middle East. Without an urgent De-escalation, the consequences for workers, global trade and international security will be serious."

The ITF reported that there were attacks on three oil tankers, attacks on the international airport of Bahrain, Dubai International Airport and Dubai Airport Zayed International Railway Championship, as well as attacks on the port of Jebel Ali, in the United Arab Emirates, and at the port of Duqm, in Oman. In a seafarer who was working in the engine room of the Mkd Vyom, a tanker flying the flag of the Marshall Islands - underlined the international union - was killed by a bullet that hit the oil tanker off the coast of the coasts of Oman. In addition, according to some sources, four seafarers would have been injured when a tanker flying the flag of Palau, the Skylight, was also hit Sunday, off the coast of Oman. Four members of the airport staff were injured at the airport one person died and seven were killed. were injured at Zayed International Airport, while injuries were sustained at Kuwait International Airport slight. A worker was later injured in an attack with drone at the port of Duqm, Oman.