Government to solve labour supply problem in fishing industry
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 1 -- Labour Minister Gen Surasak Karnjanarat will set up a task force to resolving labour problems in fishing industry following warnings of possible boycotts of imported Thai seafood products by the European Union (EU) and the United States, according to Noppadon Kannika, an adviser to the minister.

Mr Noppadon said the EU Fisheries Commission met in October and informed Thailand more than a week ago that it had issued a warning and would give Thailand six months to improve the human trafficking problem in its fisheries industry.

Thailand’s fisheries exports to the EU, a major consumer of Thai seafood products, could be impacted if no satisfactory result is seen, according to the warning.

The United States, another major Thai seafood informed, informed Thailand that it would send representatives the year to investigate illegal migrant employment in the lucrative industry, said Mr Noppadon.

Like the EU, the US has warned the Thai government that it might boycott Thai fisheries products if no progress is seen, he said.

Accusing Thailand of not resolving human trafficking issues, the US in June this year downgraded Thailand to the lowest ranking in its Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report.

The US State Department downgraded Thailand to a Tier 3 rating in its 2014 report. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-12-01

Fixed already the dear leader has got rid of the human rights watch, they no longer exist so can't speak out.

Fixed already the dear leader has got rid of the human rights watch, they no longer exist so can't speak out.

Seems not many of us can speak out about much lately. BIG BROTHER is watching....

"...would give Thailand six months to improve the human trafficking problem in its fisheries industry."

Now, all they need to do is disguise the sla.. er, workers to look like tourists and claim the ships are taking farangs deep sea fishing. They are probably consulting with Japan to see how they disguised their whaling ships to look like research facilities.

How on earth are they going to fix this?

The fishing industry worldwide has the same issues as in it relies on outside labour.

I used to be a share fisherman for a few years and two of my mates are boat owners and they just can't get local workers for love not money, so they have Estonians crewing for them.

You have to WANT to be a fisherman and more or less brought up within the industry as in its a family thing and has been for generations.

The Thai industry and let's face it is not the best for workers rights as it is, will not get the Thai "volunteers" it needs otherwise they wouldn't need to be hiring cheap and often illegal crewmen as it is.

Salary and conditions needs to improve 110% before Thais would head off for an adventure at sea.

It's also hard graft ( on more ways than one!!!) and these prisoners who did naff all inside except watch soaps and sports will get a huge wake up call with 20 hour days not uncommon, when they join this scheme for early release.

The government need to come up with a better scheme than the one with prisoners if they want the industry to improve.

I thought they were looking to replace the (workers ,who ever they are) with

ex convicts,don't know if they will be forced to take employment aboard ships,

or what pressure will be put upon them to do so.or they could make them an

offer they could choose,if found guilty ,serve your time in a prison cell or on

the sea !

regards Worgeordie

I thought they were looking to replace the (workers ,who ever they are) with

ex convicts,don't know if they will be forced to take employment aboard ships,

or what pressure will be put upon them to do so.or they could make them an

offer they could choose,if found guilty ,serve your time in a prison cell or on

the sea !

regards Worgeordie

They were....but then it was pointed out to them, that most of the convicts are murderers, thieves, extortionists, ladyboys.....etc.......they'de probably kill the skipper, steal the catch, demand money from the owners and f%#@ everyone else!...Obviously too dangerous!

I thought they were looking to replace the (workers ,who ever they are) with

ex convicts,don't know if they will be forced to take employment aboard ships,

or what pressure will be put upon them to do so.or they could make them an

offer they could choose,if found guilty ,serve your time in a prison cell or on

the sea !

regards Worgeordie

......................they're also looking for airline pilots

us and eu or just walt disney nanny state, you do not need to be avhening of the two continents shit, thailand should bet on south america and russia.

Been to Samut Sakhon recently? Every other person there is a foreigner. I don't mean western, Burmese, Cambodian, of Indian ethnicity. Even some of the shops, including Tescos, have signs in Burmese script, to help the foreigners. Not mention the languages spoken on mobiles, etc.

You go from bad to worse, one moment you have human trafficking which you deny, then you start clamping down to please the UN and others and now you have a labour shortage, so what does that tell you , pay more wages and pull those fish companies parasites into line , provide better conditions , yes Wages and conditions , want to know a little secret , it is 2014.

us and eu or just walt disney nanny state, you do not need to be avhening of the two continents shit, thailand should bet on south america and russia.

could you repeat that in English this time.....

The criminal activity by the captains of Thai fishing vessels is legendary...they can and do get away with murder while forcing the workers to live in inhumane conditions...

Until these captains are held accountable for their heinous crimes...there will be little hope for the poor workers...

A smart move could be to offer Thai citizenship to any foreigner that signs on to a Thai fishing boat and works for a fixed period of time at a pre agreed salary.

I note the nationalities of the Korean fishing boat that went down in the Bering Sea today are as follows;The trawler was carrying one Russian inspector, 11 South Koreans, 35 Indonesians and 13 Philippine crew members, a ministry spokeswoman said.

Maybe press gang all those long time over stayers in to few month hard labour on a fishing boat.

the gov. getting involved, now the industry is in real trouble

I note the nationalities of the Korean fishing boat that went down in the Bering Sea today are as follows;The trawler was carrying one Russian inspector, 11 South Koreans, 35 Indonesians and 13 Philippine crew members, a ministry spokeswoman said.

Anyone who watches " deadliest catch" will know the Bering sea is one of the least forgiving seas and in the winter it lives up to its reputation .

It's a simple problem, and all they need to do is take the workers to military camps and persuade them to a better understanding.

us and eu or just walt disney nanny state, you do not need to be avhening of the two continents shit, thailand should bet on south america and russia.

Brilliant post! You are a genius.

I am a strong believer is economics and market forces. Pay good wages and they will come...

Thai jails are full. The fishing boats are empty. No ploblem.

(No, that's not a spelling mistake).

here is an idea, let re-introduce legal slavery

problem solved, thainess way