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Hormuz Strait Remains 'Warlike Operations Area' for Worker Representative Groups

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The Strait of Hormuz and its surrounding waters will remain designated as a Warlike Operations Area through July 9, according to the International Transport Workers' Federation and the Joint Negotiating Group on Tuesday.

"This decision recognizes the continuing and significant risk to life and the rapidly evolving situation in the area," the statement said.

The International Maritime Organization has recently paused its evacuation plan for vessels following a series of attacks on cargo ships in the Strait.

The Warlike Operations Area Committee, under the International Bargaining Forum, advised all vessels in the area to follow advisories issued by the International Maritime Organization, the Joint Maritime Information Center, and regional governments involved in ship evacuations.

"The WOA designation ensures that seafarers on IBF-covered vessels receive enhanced protections and compensation if they are stranded or operating in the area," according to the statement.

"Seafarers already within the designated area are entitled to additional compensation and to request repatriation, noting the current, significant operational difficulties, while those instructed to enter it have the right to refuse to sail and request repatriation at the company's expense," it said.

Protections offered to seafarers on IBF-vessels, within or entering the designated WOA, also include a bonus equal to 100% of basic wage and doubled compensation for death and disability arising from incidents in the area.

The committee urged all governments "to maintain diplomacy and deescalate all conflict immediately" and to resume normal shipping patterns as soon as possible.

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