The Labour Minister welcomed President of the Fisheries Association of Thailand on a courtesy call and visit to discuss officials matters, monitor progress, and resolve labour shortages in the fishing industry.
On September 11, 2019, Labour Minister M.R. Chatumongol Sonakul welcomed Chairman of the National Fisheries Association of Thailand Mr. Mongkol Sukcharoenkana and committee on a courtesy call and visit to discuss official matters on labour, at the Labour Minister’s meeting room, 6th floor, Ministry of Labour. Mr Mongkol explained that the Fisheries Association of Thailand has received complaints from fishermen all around Thailand about the lack of labour in the marine fishery sector. Although the Ministry of Labour issued a policy to renew work permits for current workers, the efforts were still unable to help businesses due to lack of workers. The current Ministry of Labour’s policy for new workers in the fishing sector requires the process to be done via MOU only, which has delays, causing the fishing industry to encounter problems. There is also a problem of salary payment systems for workers as commercial fishing vessels can fish only within specified timeframes outlined by the commercial fishing license which is a period of less than 1 year. Furthermore, the process of using money for labour does not comply with the regulations of the Ministry of Labour, as workers often withdraw money in cash, and often, as they are not familiar with withdrawing money from an ATM.
The Fisheries Association of Thailand requested assistance to resolve the labour shortage in the marine fisheries sector and other various issues. It requested the opening of a ONE STOP SERVICE center to facilitate the renewal of work permits following the guidelines for working foreigners in 2019-2020, like that of which has been practiced. It also asked to support the use of Article 83 of the Fisheries Act to resolve labour shortages in the fishery sector, by allowing workers to come and work quickly on a fishing boat. The association asked that fishermen are able to choose to pay wages through a bank or to pay in cash, since most fishery workers will withdraw at least 50 percent of their monthly salaries, as well as requesting to cancel the regulations governing labour inspections and criminal proceedings following the Ministerial Regulations on Labour Protection in Fisheries B.E. 2561 and the clarity of issuing regulations under Article 12 of the Fisheries Labour Protection Act B.E. 2562
The Labour Minister acknowledged the requests and will assign agencies under the Ministry of Labour to conduct and consult with relevant agencies for further action.
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Division of Public Relations/
News by Chaninthorn Phettab/
Photos by Sompob Silbut/
11 September 2019
