The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Saturday said it mandated local manning agencies, accredited shipping principals and employers to ensure the implementation of the seafarers’ right to refuse to serve on vessels plying high-risk and war-like sealanes, particularly the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

In a department order dated March 21, the DMW laid down the guidelines for the observance of the International Transport Workers Federation and International Bargaining Forum designation of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden as “high-risk areas” and “war-like zones” (WLZs).

The department advised employers to allow seafarers to freely decide to refuse sailing in the identified areas “without discrimination and prejudice” to their present and future employment, or to industry standards for wage, compensation and benefits.

The manning agencies were also told to ensure that matters related to the high-risk and war-like zones had been explained to the seafarers prior to their deployment, and that those who will invoke their right to refuse sailing in said areas or zones would be safely repatriated…