On June 16, 2022, the Permanent Secretary of Labour Mr. Boonchob Suttamanaswong presided over the launch of the Good Labour Practices Project Assessment Report in Thailand’s seafood industry and co-chaired the third National Advisory Committee Meeting on the Ship-to-shore Rights Program South East Asia. Head of the EU Delegation to Thailand, Mr. Giuseppe Busini, Deputy-Director of the International Labour Office in the Asia and Pacific Region, Khun Panadda Boonphala, Advisor to the Thai Tuna Industry Association, Khun Atthaphan Masrangsan, Deputy Secretary-General for Academic Affairs, and the State Enterprises Workers’ Relations Confederation (SERC) also joined the event at the ballroom, 6th floor, Amari Watergate Hotel, Pratunam, Bangkok.
Mr. Boonchob said that the Ministry of Labour thanked the International Labour Organization and the European Union for their support in assessing the implementation of the Good Labour Practices (GLP) project in the Thai seafood industry. The Thai Frozen Food Association and other companies in the seafood processing industry have used the assessment since 2018 for four years now. It is the right time to have an assessment, develop and extend the operation to be more suitable. The seafood processing industry is very important for Thailand’s economy. Workers in the seafood processing sector are an important part of driving the supply chains of the country and the world.
Mr. Boonchob continued that the Ministry of Labor is committed to improving the quality of life of workers, as well as supporting the private sector to conduct business with ethics and social responsibility. It has established intensive measures to resolve the problems of child labour, forced labour, discrimination, and human trafficking. It aims to eliminate international trade barriers to increase competitiveness in trade at the regional and international levels. The Ministry of Labour has worked with relevant sectors in developing and promoting GLP in four different types of businesses: general affairs, poultry businesses, shrimp farming, and the seafood industry. GLP for the seafood industry is supported by the ILO under the Ship to Shore Rights program and has received strong collaboration from the business sector, led by the Thai Tuna Industry Association and the Thai Frozen Food Association. Therefore, this evaluation of the GLP implementation has significantly contributed to enhancing the adoption of GLP in the seafood processing industry. It is stronger, more transparent, and reliable and can be extended to other industries. During the COVID-19 situation, the Thai government took various measures to support businesses and protect workers, including initiating the project to maintain employment and stimulate the economy, especially the protection of fishermen and seafood processing industries. The Ministry of Labour has been working to protect migrant workers affected by COVID-19 by relieving those whose visas or work permits have expired, allowing them to live legally and continue working in Thailand. They have also conducted in-depth examinations and searches for undocumented migrant workers in the workplace for workers to be registered with identity documents and able to work. This effort allows such workers to receive complete protection. It is another way to help save the workforce for employers. Now, Thailand is entering a period of recovery after COVID-19, where the Ministry of Labour reaffirms its commitment to work with all parties to Build Back a Better World of working that is stronger, more flexible, and more sustainable than before. It aims to follow the work guidelines that are valuable for everyone without leaving anyone behind, especially in the fisheries and seafood processing industries.
“The Ministry of Labour would like to thank the Thai Tuna Industry Association and the Thai Frozen Foods Association for applying the GLP principles and improving operations to enhance the protection of workers in the seafood processing industry more effectively. This is to build confidence and strengthen Thai businesses in their ability to negotiate with foreign countries, especially key seafood export markets, such as in the European region and the United States, which have been bustling again since the COVID-19 situation has eased. The Ministry of Labour is pleased and prepared to work with all sectors to promote and protect both Thai and migrant workers in the fishing industry,”
Source: Ministry of Labour