Thailand Public Private Sector Highlight Progress on Labor Practices, Pledge to Eliminate Human Trafficking
Boston, MA., 17 March, 2014 — At the International Boston Seafood Conference officials from Thailand’s public and private sectors spoke about the significant progress that has recently been made in improving Thailand’s labor conditions and pledged to eliminate human trafficking from their country.
“Thailand is hard at work to stop human trafficking because we care about our citizens, our guest workers and we care deeply about our long standing relationship with the United States,” said Minister Saroj Tanasanti (deputy chief of mission), Royal Thai Embassy “We fully understand the serious nature of the human trafficking, child labor and debt bondage problems within the Thai fishing and Thai seafood industry. That is why we are making the eradication of human trafficking a nationwide top priority.”
Thailand has made great strides in the area of law enforcement with several high profile arrests in the past few months. These enforcement actions are widespread and are having a tremendous impact with 62 traffickers and forced labor camp criminals convicted in Thailand over the past 9 months. The number of Thai convictions of criminals involved in trafficking of illegal immigrants and forced labor represents an over 250% increase from the previous year.
“Human trafficking runs counter to our nation’s core values. Our commitment to bringing a stop to human trafficking in our region and in Thailand is unwavering,” said Minister Tanasanti.
Dr. Waraporn Prompoj, a Senior Expert with the Thailand Department of Fisheries, highlighted the success of recent programs aimed at promoting Good Labor Practices (GLP).
“Our nationwide education and training programs that highlight good labor practices are beginning to take hold and I am very optimistic about the future of labor practices in our country,” said Prompoj. “Our efforts in the area of Good Labor Practices can serve as an example to others in our region.”
Dr. Poj Aramwattananont, President of Thai Frozen Foods Association (TFFA) emphasized the role the private sector is playing in eradicating child and forced labor. The Thai Frozen Foods Association has launched a series of policies with their membership aimed at achieving three primary objectives:
A pledged commitment within 6 months from all TFFA members to eliminate of child labor and forced labor from all member’s facilities and affiliated primary processors
Mapping of all facilities to provide better means for prevention of abusive labor practices within 1 year; Completely eliminate child labor and forced labor from member’s facilities and affiliated primary processors within the next 2 years.
“TFFA believes that good workplaces are safe and healthy workplaces where workers have a voice and can contribute to continuous improvements, said Aramwattananont. ” We in the private sector are eager to work with government authorities to enforce policies that will lead to the elimination of child and force labor. We all have a role to play in solving this problem.”
– Office of Commercial Affairs
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