A European Parliament vote on Wednesday has recommended that Thailand be required to address human trafficking and forced labour in its fishing industry as part of ongoing trade negotiations between the EU and Thailand.
The EU is Thailand’s third largest trading partner and Thailand is the EU’s third largest trading partner inside ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations), with trade between the EU and Thailand reaching nearly €32 billion in 2012. However, evidence of widespread human rights abuses and human trafficking in Thailand’s fishing industry – reported by ILO and various NGOs - has overshadowed the negotiations.
The resolution calls for Thailand to “respect, promote and implement internationally recognised labour standards…including those on forced labour and child labour.” It also calls for Thailand to be required to cooperate in fighting Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, citing the involvement of Thai-owned fishing vessels in IUU fishing in West Africa.
“This decisive resolution by the European Parliament clearly demonstrates that any trade agreement with Thailand must be conditional on the Thai Government resolving the issues of human trafficking and human rights abuses in its fishing sector,” said Steve Trent, executive director of the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF).
“Crucially, we need to see the Thai Government working towards a sustainable and ethical fishing industry and taking firm and decisive action against business owners and corrupt officials exploiting modern day slaves. Members of the European Parliament have sent a clear message that European consumers do not want seafood associated with slavery on their plates.”
The Committee voted 503 in favour, 69 against, with 32 abstentions.
