Thai government says it's not ignoring shrimp sheds slavery

[webfact]

Thai government says it's not ignoring shrimp sheds slavery
NATTASUDA ANUSONADISAI, Associated Press

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand's government said Monday it is not ignoring the slavery and forced labor in its lucrative shrimp industry that was highlighted in an Associated Press investigation published last week.

Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd, flanked by several police and navy officials, held a news conference specifically to address issues raised by the AP report.

Sansern said the government was already aware of slavery in the industry before the AP report was released Dec. 14. "Authorities found it first," he said.

Kornchai Klaiklung, the head of the anti-human trafficking wing of the police, said "a number of things including the report about debt-bound laborers interest us and we are looking into it and will prosecute them (the culprits).

Thailand is one of the world's biggest shrimp providers and its seafood export industry is estimated to bring in about $7 billion annually. The AP report revealed the widespread use of undocumented migrant laborers, many from neighboring Myanmar.

Many of these laborers end up being tricked or sold into shrimp-peeling sheds where they are forced to work 16-hour days with no time off and little or no pay for sometimes years at a time. Some end up locked inside. Others are allowed to go out, but only if they leave their children or spouse behind as a guarantee against running away.

A day after the AP report, Thiraphong Chansiri, the president of Thai Union, one of the world's biggest seafood exporters, expressed frustration and promised change. He said the AP investigation should be a "wake-up call" to the industry. Many exporters have bought shrimp from, or outsourced peeling work to, smaller operators who have less oversight.

At the news conference Monday, government officials did not deny the existence of forced labor but disputed parts of the story, especially the AP's assertion that police took bribes and turned a blind eye to the practices in the industry.

"This is not true," Sansern said without elaborating. He said Thailand could not have become one of the top shrimp exporters in the world with the use of slave labor alone.

"There are a number of criteria needed to become leader in the field such as quality of the product ... not just cheap labor alone."

The AP stood by its report, which was part of a series of investigations this year into slavery in the fishing industry in the region. More than 2,000 trapped fishermen were freed earlier this year from an island in Indonesia as a result of the AP's work. The reports also have led to a dozen arrests, millions of dollars' worth of seizures and proposals for new federal laws.

"We stand firmly behind our reporters' coverage, which has been scrupulous, thorough and fair," said Paul Colford, an AP vice president and director of media relations. "Their stories exposing the enslavement of workers in the Southeast Asian fishing industry have been a source of great pride throughout The Associated Press."


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-12-21

[condo bought]

Don't believe anything they say for a second.

[onetime]

Don't believe anything they say for a second.

...and boycott Thai companies selling shrimp and canned tuna, too!

[tubby johnson]

All talk, no action.

Must save face!

Must ban AP and arrest their journalists for slandering the spotless reputation of the great nation and people of Thailand.

[ldiablo]

He said Thailand could not have become one of the top shrimp exporters in the world with the use of slave labor alone.

Thailand could only become one of the top shrimp exporters in the world with the use of slave labor, period...

[WaiLai]

quoted from the article:

"Sansern said the government was already aware of slavery in the industry before the AP report was released Dec. 14. "Authorities found it first," he said."

Wouldn't it have been a more interesting article if the cub reporter had asked the follow-up question to this statement?

"well sir, since you have stated that you were aware of slavery in the industry, please tell us how long have you known about this, what steps you have taken to curb it?... and please show us the results of your actions and interest"

Maybe the cub reporter did ask the followup questions to the statement!

Why isn't it reported?

Kuhn Sansem laid his own trap.

Edited December 21, 2015 by WaiLai

[toybits]

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880120-foreign-media-slave-labour-report-unfair/

Foreign media ‘slave labour report unfair’

EERAPONG PRASERTPOLKRUNG
THE SUNDAY NATION

BANGKOK: THE government has slammed an unnamed foreign news agency for what it described as twisting the facts and causing damage to Thailand for reporting about the use of slave labour in the Kingdom, especially in the fishing industry.

The government has urged all sides to sympathise with it and understand its plight.

The team assigned by the government to tackle the use of forced labour in the fishing industry will explain the facts in relation to the report at a press conference at Government House tomorrow, Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said.

The team is overseen by Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan.

So the government was aware of the AP report released 14 December but is slamming the slave labor report as unfair? So what gives? Am so confused now...

[clockman]

Just Thainess, Farang not understand!

[hanuman2543]

Aljazeera reported today about the same issues and they said too that corrupt officials are a big part of the problem.

[taony]

He said Thailand could not have become one of the top shrimp exporters in the world with the use of slave labor alone.

Thailand could only become one of the top shrimp exporters in the world with the use of slave labor, period...

All the police corruption he claims doesn't exist certainly helps.

[Eric Loh]

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880120-foreign-media-slave-labour-report-unfair/

Foreign media slave labour report unfair

EERAPONG PRASERTPOLKRUNG

THE SUNDAY NATION

BANGKOK: THE government has slammed an unnamed foreign news agency for what it described as twisting the facts and causing damage to Thailand for reporting about the use of slave labour in the Kingdom, especially in the fishing industry.

The government has urged all sides to sympathise with it and understand its plight.

The team assigned by the government to tackle the use of forced labour in the fishing industry will explain the facts in relation to the report at a press conference at Government House tomorrow, Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said.

The team is overseen by Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan.

So the government was aware of the AP report released 14 December but is slamming the slave labor report as unfair? So what gives? Am so confused now...

Now just where did Sansern learn to speak with fork tongue. Day ago, he slammed AP report as irresponsible and today he is all condescending. Remind me if someone who said that he will not stage a coup and not interested in being a PM. Does all military men speak like that without integrity?

[iReason]

"Sansern said the government was already aware of slavery in the industry ... "Authorities found it first," he said.

Absolute bold faced lie.

It has come to light because of the two people have escaped in the south and other stories like this:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Survivor-believes-more-than-500-killed-in-camps-30259271.html

"...but disputed parts of the story, especially the AP's assertion that police took bribes and turned a blind eye to the practices in the industry."

"This is not true," Sansern said without elaborating.

B.S.

I'll continue to repost this:

“A person who can detain hundreds of people without being arrested for so many years cannot be an ordinary citizen.”

"There were many more government officials that should be prosecuted, including those at senior levels."

“Human trafficking is a big network that involves lots of the military, politicians and police. While I was supervising the cases I was warned all along.”

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/10/thailands-most-senior-human-trafficking-investigator-to-seek-political-asylum-in-australia?CMP=share_btn_tw

And where is there any mention of Major General Paween Pongsirin's plight by the Military leader who deposed an elected government?

Edited December 21, 2015 by iReason

[aussiesteve63]

Egyptian river- Denial Denial

[Searat7]

There will be some good jobs in Myanmar in the next few years as things change rapidly there....many if not most of the Myanmar workers in Thailand will want to return to their country leaving a huge labor shortage here....everyone knows that Thai people don't want those jobs.

[Oziex1]

If we can still purchase these products in our western supermarkets.

Why!

[Oziex1]

"Sansern said the government was already aware of slavery in the industry ... "Authorities found it first," he said.

Absolute bold faced lie.

It has come to light because of the two people have escaped in the south and other stories like this:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Survivor-believes-more-than-500-killed-in-camps-30259271.html

"...but disputed parts of the story, especially the AP's assertion that police took bribes and turned a blind eye to the practices in the industry."

"This is not true," Sansern said without elaborating.

B.S.

I'll continue to repost this:

“A person who can detain hundreds of people without being arrested for so many years cannot be an ordinary citizen.”

"There were many more government officials that should be prosecuted, including those at senior levels."

“Human trafficking is a big network that involves lots of the military, politicians and police. While I was supervising the cases I was warned all along.”

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/10/thailands-most-senior-human-trafficking-investigator-to-seek-political-asylum-in-australia?CMP=share_btn_tw

And where is there any mention of Major General Paween Pongsirin's plight by the Military leader who deposed an elected government?

I missed this report while I was away, wow could he be a real warrior for justice, if he had to do a runner then I would think yes. The good general must have misunderstood his orders.

[Doc46]

They are not ignoring it,,,,But are they going to do something about it to stop this?,,, no only covering it up with sweet bullshit talk.

[aussieinthailand]

"Sansern said the government was already aware of slavery in the industry ... "Authorities found it first," he said.

Absolute bold faced lie.

It has come to light because of the two people have escaped in the south and other stories like this:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Survivor-believes-more-than-500-killed-in-camps-30259271.html

"...but disputed parts of the story, especially the AP's assertion that police took bribes and turned a blind eye to the practices in the industry."

"This is not true," Sansern said without elaborating.

B.S.

I'll continue to repost this:

“A person who can detain hundreds of people without being arrested for so many years cannot be an ordinary citizen.”

"There were many more government officials that should be prosecuted, including those at senior levels."

“Human trafficking is a big network that involves lots of the military, politicians and police. While I was supervising the cases I was warned all along.”

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/10/thailands-most-senior-human-trafficking-investigator-to-seek-political-asylum-in-australia?CMP=share_btn_tw

And where is there any mention of Major General Paween Pongsirin's plight by the Military leader who deposed an elected government?

So the top man of the investigation has fled too OZ in fear for his life, and also made reports naming names but that report was ignored, his team disbanded, then

then one could ague that indeed the issue is being ignored, unfortunately even in OZ this man may not be safe, lots of bad people out there that have connections and interest in this issue.

So all you lovers of the current movers n shakers of this junta, spin that story, if ya can.....It's hard to retrieve the irretrievable huh fellas.

Just admit it, you backed the wrong horse.

Edited December 21, 2015 by aussieinthailand

[ratcatcher]

"Sansern said the government was already aware of slavery in the industry ... "Authorities found it first," he said.

Absolute bold faced lie.

It has come to light because of the two people have escaped in the south and other stories like this:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Survivor-believes-more-than-500-killed-in-camps-30259271.html

"...but disputed parts of the story, especially the AP's assertion that police took bribes and turned a blind eye to the practices in the industry."

"This is not true," Sansern said without elaborating.

B.S.

I'll continue to repost this:

“A person who can detain hundreds of people without being arrested for so many years cannot be an ordinary citizen.”

"There were many more government officials that should be prosecuted, including those at senior levels."

“Human trafficking is a big network that involves lots of the military, politicians and police. While I was supervising the cases I was warned all along.”

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/10/thailands-most-senior-human-trafficking-investigator-to-seek-political-asylum-in-australia?CMP=share_btn_tw

And where is there any mention of Major General Paween Pongsirin's plight by the Military leader who deposed an elected government?

So the top man of the investigation has fled too OZ in fear for his life, and also made reports naming names but that report was ignored, his team disbanded, then

then one could ague that indeed the issue is being ignored, unfortunately even in OZ this man may not be safe, lots of bad people out there that have connections and interest in this issue.

So all you lovers of the current movers n shakers of this junta, spin that story, if ya can.....It's hard to retrieve the irretrievable huh fellas.

Just admit it, you backed the wrong horse.

"Just admit it, you backed the wrong horse."

Not much use if the jockey riding the horse has the keys to the stables and the other runners are locked in..

[oneday]

"...Thailand's government said Monday it is not ignoring the slavery and forced labor..."

Then why did the PM get so upset at the national human rights counsel's report just a couple of days ago? That would seem to suggest there is no problem.

[casindonet]

I'm sure the thai authorities knew about it long before anyone else, the problem is they did nothing & some authorities are in cahoots with them.......

[ChrisY1]

I think they believe ( as I do) that Europe and the States will not place bans....there's no other market to source the quantities that Thailand supplies to their markets........it's a thorn in all sides and would place the distributors in those markets in a cost negative situation..........!

[casindonet]

He said Thailand could not have become one of the top shrimp exporters in the world with the use of slave labor alone.

Thailand could only become one of the top shrimp exporters in the world with the use of slave labor, period...

They forget to include illegal fishing in other countries water

[Dumbastheycome]

Ignored is the inclusion of The AP claimed success in liberating 2000 in ? Indonesia ! Think more about where the source of this problem has its origins ! Is it not possible that Thailand is not necessarily the slave owner but the employer? Not much is as simple as it may appear!

[jcsmith]

I love how he matter of factly denies police took bribes. How could he be so sure about that?

[TheCruncher]

Don't believe anything they say for a second.

...and boycott Thai companies selling shrimp and canned tuna, too!

I wonder when the first thread will popup someone whining about how expensive canned tuna and shrimps have become, and that is all a rip off.

[webfact]

Government denies accusation of abetting slave labour in seafood industry



BANGKOK: -- The government on Monday dismissed as groundless an allegation by a foreign news agency that Thailand abetting slave labour in shrimp peeling business and the product are bought by seafood processing factories for overseas export.

Government spokesman Maj-Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd told a press conference that reporter of the foreign news agency who wrote the story about the alleged slave labour did not actually make an inspection to the shrimp peeling shed in Samut Sakhon which was mentioned in his report.

The spokesman said he would like the foreign news agency in question to be fair with the government and Thailand for its wholesale accusation against Thailand.

He disclosed that there are about three million foreign workers working in Thailand that the government has to take care of. The case of the Myanmar couple with their children in the workplace which was mentioned by the foreign news agency reflected the Oriental way of life of bringing children to the workplace and did not mean that child labour was used, he said.

Mfj-Gen Sansern however promised that authorities concerned would tighten up control at workplaces to prevent children from playing in work places which could cause misunderstanding.

Vice Admiral Chumpol Lummikanont, director of the public relations section of the Central Command to reswolve IUU problem, said that the picture shown in the foreign media purportedly showing slave labour was misleading. In fact, he explained that the picture was taken when authorities conducted routine inspection of seafood industries following a yellow-card notice from the EU.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/government-denies-accusation-of-abetting-slave-labour-in-seafood-industry


-- Thai PBS 2015-12-22

[webfact]

Authorities deny labour report
PRATCH RUJIVANAROM,
JIRAPONG PRASERTPOLKRANG
THE NATION



STATE OFFICIALS IMPLICATED IN ABUSE AS GOVT ANNOUNCES SWEEPING REFORMS OF SHRIMP INDUSTRY

BANGKOK: -- THAI authorities have labelled an Associated Press (AP) report on the use of forced labour in the Thai shrimping industry as "incorrect and misleading".

However, the report has prompted major changes in the industry's controversial pre-processing practices.

On December 14, AP published a report under the headline, "Global supermarkets selling shrimp peeled by slaves", alleging that Thailand continued to allow forced and child labour in shrimp-peeling factories in Samut Sakhon province.

In response, officials from the Command Centre for Combating Illegal Fishing (CCCIF), the National Council for Peace and Order, the Foreign Ministry, Royal Thai Police and the Labour Ministry yesterday jointly held a press conference to clarify the situation.

Government spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd and other officials said the government had been strictly enforcing the fisheries and labour laws to crack down on illegal labour while swiftly prosecuting offenders.

Citing the December 14 AP report concerning the use of forced workers from Myanmar in a pre-processing shrimp shed in Samut Sakhon, Sansern said the government "was trying to solve the human trafficking and forced labour - and the report was misleading".

"It's wrong to suggest that the reporters discovered the [labour abuse] issue by themselves and then officials took action against the shrimp pre-processing shed," he said.

Instead, Sansern said, the incident cited by AP reporters was one of the Thai authorities' operations to crack down on the use of illegal forced labour that occurred on November 9. Reporters were invited to monitor the operation.

Sansern also said it was incorrect to suggest in the report that police raids could send migrants without proper paperwork to jail while factory owners went unpunished.

The government is taking action against wrongdoers seriously so that anyone, including government officials, found to have been connected with these cases would be brought to justice.

Vice Admiral Jumpol Lumpikanon, a CCCIF spokesman, revealed that there were now 33 cases concerning violations of workers' rights, including 16 cases in which state officials were involved.

"We are enforcing the law strictly. We have joined forces with several agencies, including human rights organisations, to set up 25 task forces to look after the problem in 22 seaside provinces. There are 125 targeted factories in our plan, 101 of them have already been inspected," Jumpol said.

In response to the AP report, the Thai Frozen Foods Association (TFFA) yesterday announced that starting January 1, all members would be required to do shrimp pre-processing work in-house, so that they had full control over the work conditions of employees in the supply chain.

During the transition period, the TFFA plans to work with local non-government groups to offer employment opportunities to workers previously employed by out-sourced pre-processors.

Companies that are members of the TFFA have signed up to adhere to strict rules regarding employment conditions aimed at eradicating human trafficking and illegal labour practices.

Meanwhile, government spokesman Sansern said there were several factors concerning Thailand's position in the world shrimp market, including the quality of products, not just cheap labour costs as cited in the AP report.

Labour Ministry spokesman Theeraphon Khunmuang said illegal migrant workers were being registered by authorities, adding that a total of 1.6 million foreign workers were working legally in Thailand.

"When they are registered, their rights will be protected. No one under 18 will be allowed to work, while the minimum daily wage is Bt300 and guaranteed," he said.

"Moreover, the workers will be registered based on a bilingual employment agreement plus standard welfare and protection of human rights. Anyone [who finds] their rights are violated can inform the authorities to take action immediately via the hotline number 1694."

Jumpol said many big seafood businesses currently hire out-sourced factories to supply pre-processed raw materials, including the shrimp-peeling sheds in Samut Sakhon.

The Labour Ministry is stepping up action against the use of forced labour, working with major seafood companies such as CP and Thai Union, to stop the companies buying from factories using illegal labour, and instead encourage them to deal with factories where working conditions are legally acceptable.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Authorities-deny-labour-report-30275404.html


-- The Nation 2015-12-22

[bheard]

"Sansern said the government was already aware of slavery in the industry before the AP report was released Dec. 14. "Authorities found it first," he said."

OMG these people are impressive. How do thay say this stuff with a straight face??

[Balance]

Then simple name all of the people who have been arrested and charged and sentenced to prison terms.