May 26, 2025 – Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Labour, presided over and witnessed the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on preventing the use of child labour and forced labour in key product sectors, including shrimp, fish, sugarcane, garments, and downstream products (such as fishmeal, fish oil, and animal feed). The MOU was signed in collaboration with 12 public and private sector agencies. Also in attendance were Mr. Siraphop Duangsodsri, Assistant to the Labour Minister, Mr. Aree Krainara, the Secretariat to the Labour Minister, Mr. Phuchong Worasri, assigned to the Office of the Prime Minister and currently serving at the Ministry of Labour, Ms. Bubpha Rueangsud, the Department of Employment’s Director-General, Mr. Samat Pattamasukon, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, Ms. Kanchana Poolkaew, the Ministry of Labour’s Inspector-General, Acting Second Lieutenant Somsak Promdam, the Ministry of Labour’s Inspector-General, Ms. Jirapa Boonrat, the Social Security Office’s Inspector-General, Mr. Krirkrai Nasamoyon, Legal Advisor, along with senior executives from the Ministry of Labour. The event was held at the 5th Floor Conference Room, Ministry of Labour Headquarters, aiming to enhance labour rights protection, build confidence among trade partners, and support Thailand’s removal from U.S. watch lists.
Mr. Phiphat stated, “Eliminating child and forced labour is a national priority and reflects our commitment to human rights and international labour standards. This issue is not only crucial for international trade but also directly impacts the well-being and dignity of all workers. Today’s MOU signing marks a significant step forward, demonstrating unified intent across all sectors to elevate ethical labour practices throughout the supply chain. This collaboration will bolster global confidence in Thai products and help remove Thai goods, particularly shrimp, fish, sugarcane, garments, and downstream products like fishmeal, fish oil, and animal feed, from U.S. monitoring lists, specifically the TVPRA List (products suspected of being made with child or forced labour), and the EO List (goods made with child, forced, or debt bondage labour). We sincerely hope this will lead to Thailand’s removal from the U.S. watch list and help raise our ranking to Tier 1 in the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report in the near future.”
Lieutenant Commander Saroj Khomkhai, the Director-General of the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, added that according to the 2024 report by the U.S. Department of Labor, key Thai export products, including shrimp, fish, sugarcane, garments, and related goods such as fishmeal, animal feed, and fish oil, remain on lists suspected of being produced through child or forced labour. This poses serious risks to trade opportunities and Thailand’s international image. Today’s MOU represents a strengthened partnership across 12 key agencies, including the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, the Department of Fisheries, the Department of Livestock Development, the Office of the Cane and Sugar Board, the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Thai Industries, the Thai Fishery Association, the Thai Fishmeal Producers Association, the Thai Feed Mill Association, the Thai Tuna Industry Association, the Thai Frozen Foods Association, and the Thai Sugar Millers Corporation. This initiative builds on a prior MOU signed with 13 agencies in 2021 and extends collaboration to a wider network of stakeholders. Additionally, the event featured a panel discussion on “Eliminating Child and Forced Labour: Toward Sustainable Economic Opportunities for Thailand” and an exhibition by relevant agencies. Over 200 participants attended, representing the public and private sectors, civil society, and international organizations.
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Division of Public Relations
