Caught again, Thailand can’t keep wriggling off the hook

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Caught again, Thailand can’t keep wriggling off the hook
The Nation

Evidence of ‘slavery’ in the shrimp industry suggests an inability or unwillingness to protect rights by enforcing existing laws

BANGKOK: -- Thailand is under an unwelcome international spotlight once again amid revelations about working conditions in its seafood industry. This time, though, the clamour for a boycott of Thai fishery products in the West might be heeded.

A recent investigation by the Associated Press news agency uncovered strong evidence that shrimp being sold in US restaurants and grocery chains had been peeled by migrant labourers working in slave-like conditions in Thailand.

Rights groups have been joined by US politicians in calling on consumers to boycott American retailers that sell seafood from this supply chain. Associated Press implicated dozens of restaurants and supermarket across America and said these outlets exist in all 50 states.

Last year a six-month investigation by the British newspaper the Guardian revealed that much of the shrimp exported from Thailand was processed by workers subjected to torture, wage-pilfering and other rights violations that would be classified as slavery in many countries.

Thai government officials and industry leaders often deflect blame by arguing that the migrants find employment here that is unavailable to them elsewhere. But behind this specious claim of altruism lies a much harsher truth involving the exploitation of desperate individuals in jobs that Thais typically shun.

The shoddy and sometimes dangerous working conditions, the low pay and the long hours bring the price of the product down and help explain why our seafood exports are globally competitive. Meanwhile the migrant workers - most from neighbouring Myanmar and Cambodia - suffer on in silence with scant opportunities to voice their grievances.

The labour rules in place here are poorly policed and easily circumvented by the cynical distribution of enough cash in the right pockets. The funds for these bribes often come out of the workers' pay, which is already far below the legal minimum wage. And, if the workers don't pay up, police can be summoned to charge them with illegal entry.

Migrants put up with subhuman conditions because they have little choice. Many are fleeing hardships, state oppression and warfare. This, however, doesn't give that the state, society or business sector a licence to mistreat them for gain.

It is unfortunate that it has taken threats from consumers halfway around the world to spur thoughts of change.

Thailand and the billion-dollar seafood industry of which it is a part must understand that the problem runs much deeper than the working conditions of migrant shrimp-peelers. Closer scrutiny of fishing practices has revealed that Thai fishing boats routinely harvest Indonesian waters, manned by workers from Myanmar so that, if the trawlers are caught, the boat owner can toss the hot potato to the Myanmar government.

Apart from working conditions and international law, there are also environmental concerns and the matter of dubious methodology. Equipment used to catch fish that can harm other marine species has been banned and efforts are being made to ensure that its use stops.

The fact that the world learns about these questionable practices from media reports suggests that the industry and the government lack the means to verify that the industry is abiding by regulations.

For the government, this is a warning that cannot be ignored. It's to be hoped that the charges do not become politicised. The world has changed. The earth itself is sick and the water is not as clean as it once was. Nor are fish as abundant.

The linking of labour practices to business and environmental concerns has been a trend in the making for years. It's time our government came to terms with it and made the needed changes.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Caught-again-Thailand-cant-keep-wriggling-off-the--30275165.html


-- The Nation 2015-12-18

[JAG]

They will try.

International: "we have a roadmap, police are investigating, we should issue warrants some time soon, Come back and look again in six months, Thailand is special, you don't understand..."

Internally: Inactive posts, a few "expenses payments" to be made to the "right people", possibly defamation, comment online - Computer Crimes Act....

Edited December 17, 2015 by JAG

[NongKhaiKid]

Oh yes they can, it's national policy and pastime.

[rkidlad]

They need to start issuing warnings on the food. They issue 'dolphin friendly' on tuna cans.

They should issue a warning on food saying "This is a product of Thailand. Persons may have been enslaved during the process and packaging of this product"

Not just Thailand. Any country who behaves like this

[arthurboy]

Does anyone really think these people are going to stop?

If they adopted regulated, legal work and fishing practices, costs would rise, profit margins would decrease, share holders would lose equity, investors would look elsewhere and business tax liability would become more transparent and open to scrutiny.

Equally, all those involved from start to finish in people trafficking and the operation supply chain would no longer receive their cut from this corrupt business.

Shall I repeat my opening question?

[DrTuner]

Keep the spotlights on, bright and numerous and start pounding on the sanctions.

[LomSak27]

Decent enough op ed piece, of course this has been in the headlines all week, and here on Friday finally the Nations Spinmeisters respond. As the USA buys over 40 percent of Thailand shrimp (in certain years it has been nearer 60 per cent) this is not just a problem it is potentially a mega disaster.

What does the troll squad like to belch about ... the USA is in a battle with China as Thailand’s hegemonic sugar daddy and the US is a fading power .... well kiddy’s not when it comes to consumption. American consumers are Thee Reigning World Champions, and not likely to lose that title anytime soon.

Lose that market and you won’t need to shoot yourself in the foot, cause both legs are going to be amputated.

They have to contend with both legal actions against the stores that buy their product and now consumer boycott, and a very nasty image of Thailand broadcast nationwide in TV, print and internet media. This in a country who’s population generally has a good perception of Thailand.

Maybe a weekend protest at the Embassy and demand better press?

[h90]

They need to start issuing warnings on the food. They issue 'dolphin friendly' on tuna cans.

They should issue a warning on food saying "This is a product of Thailand. Persons may have been enslaved during the process and packaging of this product"

Not just Thailand. Any country who behaves like this

"Slave friendly" with the picture of a smiling dark man??

The compare with "dolphin friendly" is good, because that logo doesn't mean anything as well.

[craigt3365]

Article on the Bangkok Post suggest conditions are up to snuff after a police inspection.

Only caught one low level trafficker.

[AGareth2]

all talk no action

[rkidlad]

They need to start issuing warnings on the food. They issue 'dolphin friendly' on tuna cans.

They should issue a warning on food saying "This is a product of Thailand. Persons may have been enslaved during the process and packaging of this product"

Not just Thailand. Any country who behaves like this

"Slave friendly" with the picture of a smiling dark man??

The compare with "dolphin friendly" is good, because that logo doesn't mean anything as well.

It doesn't mean anything to you.

The number of conscientious customers might not be massive, but the loss of face and credit would be.

[JoeLing]

Decent enough op ed piece, of course this has been in the headlines all week, and here on Friday finally the Nations Spinmeisters respond. As the USA buys over 40 percent of Thailand shrimp (in certain years it has been nearer 60 per cent) this is not just a problem it is potentially a mega disaster.

What does the troll squad like to belch about ... the USA is in a battle with China as Thailand’s hegemonic sugar daddy and the US is a fading power .... well kiddy’s not when it comes to consumption. American consumers are Thee Reigning World Champions, and not likely to lose that title anytime soon.

Lose that market and you won’t need to shoot yourself in the foot, cause both legs are going to be amputated.

They have to contend with both legal actions against the stores that buy their product and now consumer boycott, and a very nasty image of Thailand broadcast nationwide in TV, print and internet media. This in a country who’s population generally has a good perception of Thailand.

Maybe a weekend protest at the Embassy and demand better press?

No worries, they are so used to shoot themselves in both feet and don't limp.

So even with both legs amputated, they will just hop along thinking they still win the marathon.

[whatawonderfulday]

Have you tried holding an eel ? Best way to kill it is to cut it's head off.

[oneday]

This is some very good press for migrant labor. Keep up the pressure.

It's like trying to move a mountain; keep pulling long enough and hard enough and eventually you should see movement.

[LomSak27]

ahh the posters speak ... So lets dissipate the possible ramifications of the latest debacle

Problem is US lawyers are rather relentless and losing just 10 to 20 per cent of their shrimp export market is something Thailand can ill afford now as they are in recession and economic contraction with no real light at the end of the tunnel.

I'm sure Thailand and their trolling spinners will play down the consequences. Teflon economy, like Teflon tourism, unfortunately that is not really true is it. Unlike you I was just down in Bangkok doing xmas shopping, the hotel I stay at had upped their rates high season and was more empty than last September oops. MBK was quieter than anytime in the last 14 years that I remember. Still people there but ...a banging tourist season?! No, that is not happening ... but no worries.

Troll Team Assemble!

Lets put a good spin on it ... Hey its all good

[selftaopath]

all talk no action

That's "Thainess" explained precisely.

[chainarong]

The ball remains firmly in Thailand's court , there needs to be a reciprocal response from those who are importing seafood products into their respective countries and a surprise inspection tour, like most things that are pointed out by the international community for Thailand to act on only officials with mediocre education levels handle these problems , so nothing gets done, perhaps the only response will be the Guardian being banned from entering Thailand , that could be the answer...............

[Sutty]

And you belive everything the guardian rag says. I pity you

[Artisi]

They will try.

International: "we have a roadmap, police are investigating, we should issue warrants some time soon, Come back and look again in six months, Thailand is special, you don't understand..."

Internally: Inactive posts, a few "expenses payments" to be made to the "right people", possibly defamation, comment online - Computer Crimes Act....

And attitude adjustment....

[scorecard]

Article on the Bangkok Post suggest conditions are up to snuff after a police inspection.

Only caught one low level trafficker.

Attached point - the operation doesn't look too hygienic to me.

[jacky54]

Filthy industry anywhere, not eaten the muck since 1972 anyway.

[bino]

Article on the Bangkok Post suggest conditions are up to snuff after a police inspection.

Only caught one low level trafficker.

He didn't have enough readies for the inspection team.

[TKDfella]

I think we need to be fair. I remember many years ago the British sugar industry was in uproar over the same type of issues and one only had their word that they didn't know. The problem in Thailand is that this issue is additive upon other serious issues.

[TheCruncher]

They need to start issuing warnings on the food. They issue 'dolphin friendly' on tuna cans.

They should issue a warning on food saying "This is a product of Thailand. Persons may have been enslaved during the process and packaging of this product"

Not just Thailand. Any country who behaves like this

Why you don't try it out?

Put 2 lots of Tuna cans on the shelves, one with the warning you suggest, and another 30% more expensive without the warning.

I know which one will be purchased by the end consumer.

[connda]

Evidence of ‘slavery’ in the shrimp industry suggests an inability or unwillingness to protect rights by enforcing existing laws

Nothing new here. All they would need to do to lower traffic accidents is to get off their collective butts, put said 'butts' behind the wheel of highway patrol cars, and start pulling drivers over and fining them using existing laws. If you want people to slow down and act like sane people, you need to instill the element of fear of getting caught and severely sanctioned. It's what slows folks down in Western countries. So - agreed, enforcing existing laws isn't a strong point of the powers to be here in The Land Of Smiles. Don't expect much change in the way business is conducted when $$$฿฿฿ money is involved. Insatiable greed and the ability to get away with criminal acts unimpeded dictates the Business Model...sadly.

Edited December 18, 2015 by connda

[rkidlad]

They need to start issuing warnings on the food. They issue 'dolphin friendly' on tuna cans.

They should issue a warning on food saying "This is a product of Thailand. Persons may have been enslaved during the process and packaging of this product"

Not just Thailand. Any country who behaves like this

Why you don't try it out?

Put 2 lots of Tuna cans on the shelves, one with the warning you suggest, and another 30% more expensive without the warning.

I know which one will be purchased by the end consumer.

Okay, I'll get right on with that.

No one wants to pay more so let people be enslaved. Brilliant.

[bark]

I have to tell you all that anything that is this big for the Thai Economy will 100 % effect most of you. Any ban on Seafood would kill the economy.

100's of factories closing, millions of jobs gone. And the Thai would take it out on Americans, and anyone who looks like an American. Also the sweet place you call home( Sunshine, cheap beer, and girls, will quickly, vanish! A total seafood ban would be the same as no heavy manufacturing in any western country. No one likes Slavery, and yes it should stop.

[bark]

Go into any restaurant in the USA. The people who cook your food are illegal Mexicans. 12 million of them, and counting. Under paid, over worked, cannot go anywhere else to work, because they don't have work permits. Slavery ?

What do you think.

[docshock13]

They need to start issuing warnings on the food. They issue 'dolphin friendly' on tuna cans.

They should issue a warning on food saying "This is a product of Thailand. Persons may have been enslaved during the process and packaging of this product"

Not just Thailand. Any country who behaves like this

Why you don't try it out?

Put 2 lots of Tuna cans on the shelves, one with the warning you suggest, and another 30% more expensive without the warning.

I know which one will be purchased by the end consumer.

Okay, I'll get right on with that.

No one wants to pay more so let people be enslaved. Brilliant.

I believe the point of any proposed boycott would be at the level of 1) banning all imports or 2) pressuring retailers to discontinue stock in IUU seafood thereby eliminating choice at the individual consumer level.

[bheard]

They need to start issuing warnings on the food. They issue 'dolphin friendly' on tuna cans.

They should issue a warning on food saying "This is a product of Thailand. Persons may have been enslaved during the process and packaging of this product"

Not just Thailand. Any country who behaves like this

"Slave friendly" with the picture of a smiling dark man??

The compare with "dolphin friendly" is good, because that logo doesn't mean anything as well.

Excellent idea! The photo to use would be the 'ugly' man in this pic. Thai people are familiar with this guy from their English lessons . . .