MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) urged shipowners with Filipino crew members to avoid the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, in light of the escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Shipowners are urged by the DMW to prioritize the welfare of their Filipino crew and asked them to reroute their vessels to avoid areas designated by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and International Bargaining Forum (IBF) as “high-risk and war-like.”
“The Department reiterates its urgent appeal to all concerned principals/ shipowners to prioritize the safety of Filipino seafarers and immediately reroute their vessels to avoid the ITF/IBF designated high-risk and war-like zones, particularly the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden,” the DMW’s advisory wrote.
“Principals/shipowners are strongly urged to take immediate precautionary action by diverting their vessels manned by Filipino crew and navigating them through safer alternate routes, ensuring their well-being and security,” they added.
The OWWA on Wednesday also informed shipowners to submit their Seabased Accreditation Bureau to the DMW.
The Department’s announcement came following the homecoming of Filipino seafarers that were part of two vessels attacked by Houthi rebels in August.
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