MANILA, April 17 -- The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is pushing for the designation of the Strait of Hormuz as a "high-risk area" (HRA) to encourage enforcement of stricter safety measures for seafarers passing the route.

DMW officer in charge Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac said that identifying an area as HRA assures Filipino seafarers of their "right to refuse" sailing.

"Ensuring the safety and well-being of our Filipino seafarers is not just a priority, it's our mission," Cacdac said in a news release Tuesday.

He said representations would be made to the International Bargaining Forum (IBF), which brings together the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and the international maritime employers that comprise the Jo...