Minister of Labour welcomed Mr. Steve Trent, Executive Director of the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), who paid a courtesy visit to discuss potential steps forward in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Mr. Trent commended the Royal Thai Government on the considerable progress made in recent years and urged continuous efforts to ensure sustainability in the Thai fishing sector.
On 12 September2018, Mr. Steve Trent, Executive Director of the Environmental Justice (EJF) paid a courtesy visit on Police General Adul Saengsingkeo, Minister of Labour in Bangkok. Mr. Trent commended the Royal Thai Government’s efforts in solving labour issues in Thailand’s fishing sector. He further discussed the government’s intention on the ratification of the ILO’s Work in Fishing Convention (C 188), the Freedom of Association and Protection on the Right to Organise Convention (C 87) and the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention (C 98) to complement the recent ratification and application of Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention (P 29). Views on latest progress and changes in Thailand’s labour migration governance and the technical issue regarding electronic wages payment and accessibility of ATM machines were also exchanged.
Police General Adul Saengsingkeo, Minister of Labour revealed after the discussion that regarding the ratification of C 188, the government understands how the instrument will improve the quality of life for the workers in the fishing sector, especially in terms of their health, working time and hours of rest and wage payment system. Being mindful of stakeholders’ concerns; however, the government will move carefully to ensure mutual understanding and confidence among concerned stakeholders that upon the application of the said instrument, traditional fishing will not be affected and that in making the transition, stakeholders will not be forced to shoulder excruciating expenses that may disrupt their fishing operations.
With regard to the electronic wage payment and placement of ATM machines, the government is working with local banks to add another 54 ATM machines to the current number of 81 ATM machines already installed in ports and piers of the 22 coastal provinces.
These efforts once again underline the Royal Thai Government’s commitments in aligning our national legislative frameworks and practices with international standards to enhance protection of all workers in the fishing industry.
The Minister of Labour also added that the insights from today’s discussion will be very helpful in strengthening and extending areas of cooperation that Thailand has with EJF and the international community. Progress in combatting IUU fishing that has been made thus far and continued achievements in the near future will also fortify Thailand’s leadership role before assuming the ASEAN chairmanship in 2019.
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