Thai Authorities Move To Stop Human Trafficking, Illegal Employment

[webfact]

Thai authorities move to stop human trafficking, illegal employment

SAMUT SAKHON, Oct 12 – Thai authorities in this seaboard province, 35km southwest of Bangkok, are seeking cooperation from the private sector in tackling the problems of human trafficking, child labour and illegal employment, according to a senior provincial official.

Samut Sakhon deputy governor Panthep Srivanich said the provincial administration will announce instructions for 200 operators of the labour-intensive shrimp peeling business to compile employee lists and submit them to labour officials.

The lists will enable provincial labour welfare and protection officials to see that business operators abide by the law.

He said regular labour inspections are required as Thailand wants to be removed from “Tier 2 Watch List” on human trafficking as stated by the US State Department.

The deputy governor said the inspections will be jointly carried out by labour officials and private operators but Sompong Sakaeo, of the Labour Rights Promotion Network, disagreed.

Mr Sompong said the inspections may lead to extortion. He advised the authorities educate operators on relevant laws and regulations, and that parents send their children to school, and schools should avoid turning down children.

He said operators should be made clear of the advantages and disadvantages of the new round of labour registration and the future employment of foreign workers on government-to-government basis.

Pushing illegal foreign workers back to their countries does not solve the problems of human trafficking and illegal employment, he said. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-10-12

[fareastguy]

The deputy governor said the 200 or so inspections should be jointly carried out by labour officials and private operators.. rightly so, but Sompong Sakaeo, of the Labour Rights Promotion Network, disagreed, he thinks they are open to extortion.

Obviously meaning the officials will be open to grafts to pass inspections & cannot be trusted to do the work for which they are already paid to do.

So the 200 operators of the labour-intensive shrimp peeling business will be allowed to compile employee lists and submit them to labour officials, all employees accounted for, with of course the children & illegal ones not listed.

The owners/parents are all far too aware of the current rules & regulations, which they just ignore, why don't they place an officer in the workplace on a daily basis until the children are placed in school where they belong.

As for his statement: pushing illegal foreign workers back to their countries does not solve the problems of human trafficking and illegal employment is just plain farcical, if there's no work for them they won't come.

Another whitewash coming just so that the government can say we are actively doing all that we can to prevent this from happening.

And if you can see your way clear to remove us from the “Tier 2 Watch List” on human trafficking as stated by the US State Department.

we would be ever so grateful.

[jaltsc]

Now we can feel secure knowing that the government will eliminate human trafficking just as successfully as previous efforts and actions have eradicated prostitution, gambling, government graft and dishonest merchants ripping off tourists, among other "successes" to numerous to list here. I think I have heard this song before .

[hellodolly]

Well it looks like there will be a lot of Burmese shrimpers drowning.

"Mr Sompong said the inspections may lead to extortion"

I wonder if they plan on loading up barges with illegals and towing them out to sea again after they remove there engines.

[jerrysteve]

MAYBE they are posturing for a possible visit from Obama, the LRBN about the inspectors being open to EXTORTION especially in light

of Thailands history of Corruption at all levels.

[omnilangur]

If I was from Burma I would work illegaly in thailand also, who cares?

[asiawatcher]

hey are going to 'instruct' 200 operators to compile lists? <deleted> is wrong with this idea... Can just see it now, 10 legit employees listed - 25 illegal don't bother. Then multiply by 200. You can guess the rest.

[arthurboy]

Lists. Yeah, right.

How about unannounced, unleaked, surprise raids on all the businesses concerned by the relevant authorities and the police, accompanied by the Thai and foreign media. Then, if wrong doing is either suspected or discovered, immediately arrest those staff present and in charge of the operation and refuse bail. Charge them accordingly under the appropriate laws and track down and arrest the business owners - unless they refuse to surrender voluntarily. Investigate all parties, including their political and other influential connections, thoroughly and quickly before going to trial. Hold the trial in public with the public,Thai and foreign media invited to attend the proceedings.

Pass severe prison sentences and financial penalties on all guilty parties, and close down the businesses. Follow the money trail, and order the banks and other financial institutions to suspend those accounts and place under the governance of the International Red Cross or some such organisation. Leave to appeal will be granted from prison, but without bail.

Pay the trafficked people substantial compensation with the option of resettlement in their home country or to remain in Thailand.

Wow, what a weird dream that was.

Edited October 12, 2012 by arthurboy

[PoodMaiDai]

yet another press release that will end with nothing being accomplished. human trafficking doesn't happen without top level government assistance.

[MEL1]

Another crackdown = another committee.

-mel.

Could I get sick of committee set-ups? Is it a recognised illness?

[reader]

The last thing Thailand needs is another scandal. If the European newspapers get hold of this story (if they haven't already) they will have a field day. The gutterpress is notorious on making sure bad news spreads like widefire. My advise to the Thai authorites is to conduct a speedy investigation. If you stick your head in the sand and think this problem will dissolve away you will be wrong ! The eyes of the world are now apon you and you cannot escape the internet. I don't think Thailand can afford to sacrifice it's export & tourist industry on such serious allegations, do you ?

[Thai at Heart]

Of course, they could just get their paperwork in order and pay 10 usd a day.

[Bramdaddy]

C'mon. We've heard all of this before. Nothing will happen. Move on.

[noitom]

The Thais seem finally to be admitting that there is child labor. You can't solve a problem unless you admit you have one. Now the Thais have to get past the blame game on the poor few Burmese immigrant illegal workers. They have to shut down the businesses and hand out steep fines. No under the table payoffs, no bribes. Fines and drag the owners out in handcuffs and perp walk them. Put their pictures on the front page. That's the way to nail this child labor thing.

[ttelise]

Lip service to avoid sanctions threatened UN a few months back. Do anything to avoid sanctions and save face, but do very little to protect rights of those vulnerable and needing protection.