The Ministry of Labour Inspector-General joined the delegation of the European Union to Thailand, revealing research on the progress labour in the fishing and seafood industries under the Ship to Shore Rights project, whereby the overall working conditions are improved. He emphasized that all parties need to work together for the fairness and sustainability of the seafood industry.
On March 10, 2020, at 13.25 hours, Permanent Secretary of Labour Mr. Suthi Sukosol assigned the Ministry of Labour Inspector-General Mr. Somboon Trisilanun to give a press conference at the launch of the findings of research on progress on workers in the fishery and seafood industry in Thailand, under the Ship to Shore Rights Project. The press conference was together with Advisor (Head of Cooperation), the European Delegation’s Office to Thailand, Mr. Jerome Pons, and Director of the International Labour Office in Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, Mr. Graeme Buckley. The occasion took place at the Amari Watergate Hotel.
Mr. Somboon said that the Endline Research is a comparison of the survey results in 2019 with the baseline data collected in 2017, which is the beginning of the Ship to Shore Rights project. As mentioned, data has been collected from workers in fishing and about 500 workers in the seafood processing industry in 11 coastal provinces. There have been significant advances in this area including the effort to ratify two crucial international instruments of the International Labour Organization, namely the 2014 Protocol to supplement to the 29th Convention on forced labour, 1930 and Convention No. 188 on Working in Fisheries 2007, which Thailand achieved as the first country in Asia. It has also pushed for the development and amendment of domestic laws to meet international standards continuously, such as the Emergency Decree amending the Anti-Trafficking in Persons B.E. 2551 2008, B.E. 2562 and the Labour Protection Act in Fisheries B.E. 2562 including arranging a multidisciplinary team to inspect labour and strictly enforce laws.
The Ministry of Labour’s Inspector-General said further that the findings are evidence of progress in integration with the government, employers, employees, and civil society. It has a common objective to prevent and eliminate human trafficking, child labour, forced labour, and unacceptable forms of work to disappear from the fishing and seafood industry in Thailand. The progress of Thailand is reflected in this report on many issues, such as coming to work through legal channels and increasing wages. However, there are still challenges that must be shared with all parties in Thailand and neighboring countries in the process of promoting a fair and sustainable seafood industry in the global supply chain.
In this regard, Thailand aims to increase the protection of labour in the fishing and seafood processing industries. It has a role as a leader in the example of good practice. It is a role model for fishery and seafood labour management within ASEAN to further expand in current operations.
News & photos by Preecha Khayan
Division of Public Relations
10 March 2020
