Thai Union has participated in the annual Trust Women Conference which discussed solutions to empower women fighting slavery worldwide.
Darian McBain Ph.D, global director of sustainable development, presented the Fishers Fund as an Action for the conference to support.
A Fishers Fund will aim to put cash in the hands of workers rescued from slavery, and give survivors the funds to make their own choices to build a brighter future for themselves and families.
Andy Hall, international affairs adviser for the Migrant Worker Rights Network (MWRN), said: “The fund much needed compensation or support fund to provide redress and contribute to rebuilding the lives of tens or hundreds of thousands of migrant and national workers associated with the Thai fishing industry, whom for decades have faced and indeed still do face severe abuse too often in situations of modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking.”
He added: “This is a bold and impressive move or step forward by Thai Union Group, and reflects what MWRN perceive to be a real commitment by the company to ensure a better and more sustainable future for the Thai seafood industry.”
During a Trust Women Conference panel on forced labour in supply chains, Ms McBain discussed the issue of slavery in the Thai seafood sector, and Thai Union’s work to achieve safe and legal labour in the company’s own supply chain.
She concluded: “To genuinely eradicate slavery, the entire industry needs to work together on sustainable and evidence-based solutions. That means businesses, governments, civil societies and even consumers must actively participate.”
The Fishers Fund Action presentation at Trust Women Conference 2016 can be watched on the conference’s website.
