Thai Delegation Reaffirms Strong Commitment to Combating Human-Trafficking
During July 21-24, 2014 M.L. Puntrik Smiti, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labor led a delegation comprised of representatives from various Thai government agencies including; Mr. Songsak Saicheua, Director General of the Department of American and South Pacific Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Pol. Gen. Chatchawal Suksomjit, Director General of the Department of Special Investigation; Pol.Lt.Gen. M.L. Pansak Kasemsant, Deputy Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police; Mrs. Saowanee Khomepatr, Deputy Director General of the Department of Social Development and Welfare; Ms. Waraporn Prompoj, Senior Expert on International Fisheries Affairs, Expert Bureau, Department of Fisheries and Dr. Panisuan Jamnarnwej, Former President, Thai Frozen Foods Association.
The delegation met with both US public and private stakeholders such as Department of Labor, Department of State, AFL-CIO as well as the US business communities in Washington DC and later in Los Angeles.
Pursuant to the discussions, the US has acknowledged labor solutions in National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) actions and the attempt to remove four Thai products from its child and forced labor watch list. The delegation emphasized that the NCPO was seriously tackling the problems and bringing illegal migrant workers to Thailand’s formal labor system by registering them at one-stop service centers to protect them from abuse and human trafficking. Highlights of recent measures taken are the establishment of 12 special economic zones along the border, solutions to all labor problems in the fisheries and marine industries, and the approval of 10 million US dollars budget for Office of Anti-Corruption Commission specifically for hiring more personnel.
The meetings yielded positive outcome and both sides agree to work on the mechanism to facilitate the flow and exchange of information in a timely manner.
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