The International Transport Workers’ Federation and the Joint Negotiating Group have agreed to keep the Strait of Hormuz designated a “Warlike Operations Area” until July 9.
The move follows attacks on two cargo ships in late June that prompted a pause on an evacuation plan by the UN’s maritime agency.
In a joint statement, the ITWF, a workers union, and the JNB, which represents maritime industry employers, said double pay will be maintained for seafarers in the area, who are on board ships covered by the International Bargaining Forum’s labour agreements.
“This decision recognises the continuing and significant risk to life and the rapidly evolving situation in the area,” they said.
The UN’s International Maritime Organization said in late June that some 11,000 seafarers were stranded on board some 600 commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. About 2,500 seafarers and some 115 vessels were evacuated over three days before attacks on ships in the area halted the operation.
