Thai Union PCL (TU) has welcomed a new initiative on ‘Combatting Unacceptable Forms of Work in the Thai Fishing and Seafood Industry’.
The project, launched jointly by the Ministry of Labor, International Labor Organization (ILO) and the Delegation of the European Union to Thailand, will work to tackle unacceptable forms of work, especially forced labour and child labour in the fishing and seafood processing industry.
“Thai Union is pleased to welcome this initiative,” said Dr Darian McBain, global director for sustainable development.
“Thai Union firmly believes that public and private sector collaboration is the key to drive positive change and tackle unfair and unethical labour practices in both the Thai and global fishing industries. There is no place for these practices in the Thai fishing and seafood industries. Involvement from international institutions not only helps industry participants understand the importance of change in these critical areas, but also helps validate the progress which is achieved.
“Additionally, we are pleased to see that NGOs will also be involved in this initiative and help contribute to the progress of change. This has been the experience of Thai Union, who have been working with NGOs such as the Migrant Workers Rights Network; the Labor Rights Promotion Network (LPN) and the Issara Institute for some time as we look for ways to effectively tackle these issues in the industry.”
Dr McBain said the need to eradicate forced labour, human trafficking and child labour was a key factor driving the introduction of Thai Union’s new and stringent Business Ethics and Labor Code of Conduct last year, which prohibits all forms of forced and child labour and outlines the mandatory legal and ethical requirements for conducting business with Thai Union.
