Human-trafficking bill passes first reading

[webfact]

Human-trafficking bill passes first reading
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Legislative Assembly (NLA) yesterday agreed in principle to a bill aimed at tackling human trafficking with heavier penalties, including the immediate closure of businesses found to be abusive to employees and death penalty if the abuse results in deaths.

The bill passed the first reading yesterday with a 177:5 vote, and the NLA set up a 15-member panel to further scrutinise the bill over a 30-day period.

The bill proposes the establishment of a national body entitled the "Anti-Human Trafficking Commission" that would be chaired by the premier and comprise eight ministers and four experts appointed by the PM.

As per the bill, the authorities have the right to close operations for 30 days or revoke the licence of operators found not to be complying with the regulations stipulated in the bill. Officials working under this bill will be protected from lawsuits.

Meanwhile, operators found guilty of actions or negligence that results in an employee's death will be subject to the death penalty or life imprisonment, while longer prison terms and heavier fines will be imposed on violators who commit lesser crimes associated with human trafficking.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Human-trafficking-bill-passes-first-reading-30255422.html


-- The Nation 2015-03-06

[Costas2008]

We are going to see many bills passed and many discussions taking place about human trafficking.

As about getting and prosecuting any of the culprits, I have my doubts about that.

But......it's good for the ears of the USA and the EU.

[chainarong]

You can pass as many laws , rules and regulations as you like , whether they are acted on by the officials at the coal face remains to be seen, especially when the slight of the hand trick is in play , this probably applies to most laws, rules in Thailand..

[Strangebrew]

To be on track one must first have track to be on but as always things derail in Thailand.

[oneday]

Laws are only a SMALL step in the right direction. The willingness to aggressively enforce those laws is what makes the difference.

Stop talking and start doing!

[klauskunkel]

It's only the first reading, which is about spelling mistakes. After that it's grammar and then content...It'll be a while

[iReason]

"a 177:5 vote"

Perhaps, look into the 5 who voted against it.

As another poster said above, all the committies, sub-committies and bills are worthless unless the laws are enforced.

"...and comprise (sic) eight ministers and four experts appointed by the PM."

The suspiciously wealthy ex-Army Chief is now an expert on Human Trafficking, appointing "experts"?

Uncle Too, you wouldn't want to appear to be stacking the deck would you?

[Usual Suspect]

1 year from now & it's a fair bet we'll STILL be reading stories about 'slaves' on fishing boats, immigrants being ferried across the kingdom overnight by gangs working for 'influencial officials', & STILL be hearing b/s stories of what all the newly formed committees have done, & are going to do..& yes this Land of Scams will STILL be nestling there on Tier 3.

[MaiChai]

I thought the authorities were the ones accused of trafficking? Thus how does the bill deal with these?