Work performed at a shrimp plant. (Photo Credit: Solidarity Center)

Journalistic research reveals 'globalised slavery' in prawn sector

THAILAND
Thursday, June 12, 2014, 01:50 (GMT + 9)

Thailand could be downgraded to a human trafficking blacklist by the US state department after an investigation revealed that "slaves" are being used in the production of prawn sold in leading American, British and European supermarkets.

This six-month investigation into the Thai fishing industry carried out by The Guardian newspaper uncovered horrific conditions, 20-hour shifts, regular beatings, torture and execution-style killings.

As a result of these findings, Washington will directly address allegations of human trafficking in Thailand in an imminent report that could result in economic sanctions against Bangkok after confirming its intention to review the country's response to abuses such as migrants being bought by shipowners and forced to work as slaves for years at sea without pay.

"We are aware of the Guardian investigation," said Luis CdeBaca, Washington's Ambassador-at-Large for monitoring and combatting trafficking in persons, in a statement.

And he added: "We are currently finalising the 2014 Trafficking in Persons report, which will be released later this month, and will include an overview of human trafficking in Thailand and the Thai government's efforts to address human trafficking."

For the third year running, last year Thailand narrowly escaped relegation and was warned of these consequences unless the issues of slavery and trafficking within its borders were addressed by the end of the year.

The inclusion of Thailand in such a list would mean the country would face restrictions on US foreign assistance and access to global institutions such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

This week's Guardian investigation uncovered slavery in the supply chains of farmed shrimp sold by major UK, US and European supermarkets and retailers, including Walmart, Carrefour, Costco, Tesco, Aldi, Coop, Morrisons and Iceland.

According to the British newspaper, the supermarket sector has been aware of conditions on some Thai fishing vessels thanks to reports from the UN and NGOs.

"We are actively engaged in this issue and playing an important role in bringing together stakeholders to help eradicate human trafficking from Thailand's seafood export sector," a Walmart spokesperson told The Guardian.

Meanwhile, Carrefour said it conducts social audits of all suppliers but admitted not checking right to the end of its complex chains.

Another of the chains surveyed, Costco, expressed it required its suppliers of Thai shrimp "to take corrective action to police their feedstock sources".

Besides, Tesco explained they are working in partnership with the International Labour Organisation and Ethical Trading Initiative to achieve broader change across the Thai fishing industry.

Morrisons expressed concern about the findings of the investigation, stating their ethical trading policy forbids the use of forced labour by suppliers and their suppliers.

The Co-operative was among those claiming it was already working to understand "working conditions beyond the processing level". And Aldi UK said its contractual terms stipulate that suppliers do not engage in any form of forced labour.

The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) also reported on slavery and forced labour imposed by violence on Thai trawlers and alleged police collusion.

Retailers have joined an initiative called Project Issara (Project Freedom) to discuss their response and several were at a meeting with producers in Bangkok at the end of last month at which slavery was discussed.

Related article:

- Govt fails to address ‘seafood slavery,’ report claims

 
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