Regional News
Thailand Revising Labor Laws to Combat Human Trafficking
BANGKOK – Following meetings between government agencies, Thailand’s labor could be revised to guarantee customers overseas there is neither child labor nor human trafficking, reports Pattaya Mail.
Most of the human trafficking problems alleged by the US in its recent Trafficking in Persons downgrade lies in the fishing industry sector, and concerned agencies such as the Labor Ministry, the Fisheries and Marine departments are currently amending laws related to trawler registration and foreign employees registration, said Puntarik Smiti, deputy permanent secretary for labor.
All the seven fishing labor coordination offices in seven provinces will play a major role in preventing any abuse in the fishery sector from occurring, to ensure that good labor practices are implemented.
Tae (C), a 13-year-old girl from military-ruled Myanmar, peels shrimp at a factory in Samut Sakhon, nearly 40 km (25 miles) south of Bangkok
“It could be proof to show to customers in foreign countries that there’s no child labor, forced labor and human trafficking,” said Puntarik.
A working committee met recently to discuss the negative US annual report, issued June 20, which downgraded Thailand to “Tier 3” – the lowest level – after accusing five industries in the kingdom including the shrimp, textiles, sugarcane, pornographic materials and fishing industries of using child and forced labor.
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