Answer
Under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006) and IBF/ITWF collective bargaining agreements, seafarers transit or work in designated High-Risk Areas (HRA) or War Risk Areas (WRA) under strict statutory protections:
- Right to Refuse Voyage: A seafarer has the right to refuse to sail into a designated War Risk Area without risk of losing employment or facing disciplinary action.
- Repatriation at Owner's Cost: If a seafarer chooses not to enter a War Risk Area, the shipowner must pay for repatriation to their home country along with accrued wages and entitlements up to the date of disembarkation.
- Double Basic Pay (Bonus): Seafarers serving in designated warlike zones are entitled to a bonus equal to 100% of their basic daily wage for every day spent within the zone.
- Enhanced Compensation: In the event of injury, disability, or death resulting from war-like operations or piracy, compensation payouts to the seafarer or their dependents are doubled.
- Continued Wage Payment During Captivity: Amendments to MLC Regulation 2.1 enforce that a Seafarer’s Employment Agreement (SEA) remains valid even if held captive due to acts of piracy or armed robbery against ships. Basic wages and contractual entitlements must continue to be paid throughout the period of captivity until release.