The International Transport Trade Union
International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) and the Joint
Negotiating Group (JNG), the coordinating body of the positions
of employers worldwide in the maritime sector, in particular
as social partners of the International Bargaining Forum
(IBF), agreed to maintain the Strait designation
of Hormuz and the surrounding waters as the Warlike Operations Area
(WOA) until 9 July. In addition, it has been agreed
whereas the IBF's Warlike Operations Area Committee will resume
to hold weekly review meetings.
ITF and JNG specified that this decision recognizes the
persistent and significant risk to life and the situation in
rapid evolution in the area and was taken after
the International Maritime Organization had initiated and then suspended the
evacuation plan for ships still waiting to transit through the
Strait of Hormuz after a merchant ship on June 25
had been shot as she left the area and after and after the
June 27 another ship had been hit.
The WOA designation guarantees seafarers on board ships
covered by the IBF greater protection and more
adequate in case they are blocked or operating in the area. I
seafarers already present in the designated area are entitled to
compensation and to request repatriation, taking into account
account of the current and significant operational difficulties,
while those who have been ordered to enter it have the
the right to refuse to sail and to request repatriation to
company expenses.
Under the terms agreed by the parties to the IBF, in fact, the
seafarers serving on inland or inbound IBF vessels
in the designated maritime area will be entitled to the following protections:
a bonus equal to 100% of the basic salary, payable for a
minimum of five days and for each additional day of stay
of the ship in the area; doubling of compensation for death and
disabilities resulting from accidents in the area; Copyright law
seafarers to refuse to sail in the area, with repatriation at the expense of
of the company and compensation equal to two months' basic salary.
- Via Raffaele Paolucci 17r/19r - 16129 Genoa - ITALY
