Cew members of a Thai fishing vessel. (Photo Credit: Apostleship of the Sea Thailand)

Seafood exports unaffected by slavery accusations, Govt. ensures

THAILAND
Tuesday, December 22, 2015, 01:50 (GMT + 9)

Thai government authorities ensure that seafood exports to the United States, Europe and Australia are not hit by allegations of slavery and forced labour in the Thai industry.

This announcement was made amid pressure from importing countries to crack down on illegal fishing to avoid bans on seafood exports and to investigate accusations of slavery in the sector.

"Australia's seafood importers told us that even though there are problems, they would continue buying seafood because Thailand is trying to really resolve the human trafficking problem,” claimed Songsak Saicheua, head of the foreign ministry's department of American and South Pacific affairs.

"America, Europe and Australia have confidence in importing frozen seafood from us," Songsak added.

The minister also explained that the Government had checked more than 100 seafood processing plants, and shut one down since April.

Referring to the accusations against Thailand, a spokesperson for the Government stated that while the reports alleging slave labour in the sector said that government officials ignore the issue, it was not true as Thai authorities had found it first and had made efforts for the shrimp industry to have "proper working conditions according to international laws."

One of the organisations that released accusations against the sector is British-based rights and environment group Environmental Justice Foundation, which published a report after a three-year investigation into slavery on Thai fishing boats.

The NGO said it had uncovered a well-oiled system of trafficking, abuse and exploitation of fishermen — many of them migrants from Thailand poorer neighbours, Myanmar and Cambodia.

That report was followed by an investigation carried out by Swiss food giant Nestle SA that found slave labour was used in its Thai seafood supply chain, adding to calls to clean up the industry dogged for years by allegations of abuse.

Related articles:

- Thai Union announces further measures to stop slave labour in its supply chain
- New report proves abuses persist in Thai seafood industry
- Thai Union suspends purchases from over 1,200 vessels
- Thai Union joins efforts with organisation for migrant workers' rights
 

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