(12/10/2012)
 The
Cabinet has approved measures to prevent and suppress human trafficking
in the fishing industry and agreed to establish coordination centers
for workers in fisheries in order to stop human trafficking.The measures were proposed by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, which has stepped up campaigns against trafficking in persons. The Cabinet, during its meeting on 9 October 2012, assigned relevant agencies to improve related laws and regulations and ease problems concerning labor shortages and forced labor, which could lead to human trafficking. These agencies include the Department of Labor Protection and Welfare, the Marine Department, the Department of Employment, the Royal Thai Police, the Office of the Attorney General, the Royal Thai Navy, the Department of Fisheries, the Department of Special Investigation, the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. In response to the Cabinet decision on the issue, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is accelerating the tackling of human trafficking on fishing boats, including child labor and forced labor in the fishing industry. The Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Theera Wongsamut, said that the authorities concerned are working with the International Labor Organization (ILO) on guidelines for Good Fisheries Labor Practice. He stressed the urgent need to come up with the guidelines to prevent this problem from affecting Thailand’s fishery production and seafood exports. Minister Theera said that the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives had also proposed a plan, which was worked out with ILO, to help prevent and control trafficking in persons. The Marine Department and the Department of Fisheries are joining forces in checking fishing boats, workers on board, and equipment to ensure that they are also in accordance with related laws and regulations. Research and development will also be promoted to reduce the use of labor on fishing boats. Moreover, he said, seven coordination centers for workers in fisheries would be set up in coastal provinces of Samut Sakhon, Rayong, Trat, Chumphon, Songkhla, Ranong, and Satun. Only migrant workers entering Thailand legally for the purpose of working on fishing boats would be allowed to be engaged in this job. In her statement at the General Debate of the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on 27 September 2012, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra pointed out that one of the worst forms of human indignity is human trafficking. She considers this matter a national priority and is fully committed to eliminating such inhumane exploitation. Whether it is human trafficking or other transnational crimes, the key to tackling the problem is to ensure that the rule of law prevails and the basic rights of the people are guaranteed, particularly the rights of vulnerable groups, such as women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, who deserve special attention. She said that solutions to these challenges could not be achieved through governments alone. All people involved needed to work with all stakeholders, especially in strengthening international norms and standards. |
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