04/09/2024
Press Release by Plan International Thailand
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Awards highlight responsible recruitment.
Thai seafood processors and recruiters commit to responsible recruitment to reduce forced labor and human trafficking.
On September 2, 2024, Thai seafood processing companies and migrant worker recruitment agencies came together to share a mutual vision of responsible recruitment to mitigate the risks of forced labor and human trafficking in Thai seafood supply chains. Many international companies, including seafood processing companies and recruitment agencies, have taken significant steps to address forced labor and human trafficking within their supply chains through responsible recruitment practices. These practices include supply chain mapping, risk assessments, worker empowerment, collaboration with stakeholders, monitoring, and remediation.
On September 2, 2024 the FAIR Fish responsible recruitment awards ceremony was hosted by Plan International Thailand at the Central Place Hotel in Samut Sakhon province. The Thai Frozen Food Association, Thai Tuna Industry Association, Labour Development Trade Association, and the Association of Entrepreneurs Bringing Foreigners to Work in the Country shared how their associations and members can contribute to the promotion of responsible recruitment which can reduce the risk of forced labor and human trafficking.
Ms. Attapan Masrungsan, the Executive Advisor of Thai Tuna Industry Association, said that members have been practicing responsible recruitment, and as a result, their international customers are confident that they are upholding ethical standards. Companies in the association are also seeing less worker turnover due to responsible recruitment. The Thai Tuna Industry Association has been providing its members with information and resources to facilitate efforts to meet international expectations regarding worker recruitment.
Mr. Viboon Supakarapongkul, Vice President of the Thai Frozen Food Association, said that the responsible recruitment process is fair and transparent which has led to more job satisfaction among workers. Workers are protected throughout the recruitment process which covers areas such as travel, wages, hiring conditions, and staff welfare. In addition, companies are benefiting from higher productivity and reduced recruitment costs.
Responsible recruitment allows companies to meet their customers’ expectations regarding international standards and regulations. The Thai Frozen Food Association will continue to promote responsible recruitment among its members through their Seafood Good Labour Practices (SGLP) which also guides members on how to apply responsible recruitment in accordance with Thai labor law.
Ms. Sirikron Worpanya, the President of the Labour Development Trade Association, said responsible recruitment can enhance a company’s public reputation and increase customer confidence. Workers also feel that they are treated fairly. As a result, their loyalty to the company and motivation increase. For these reasons, her association will continue to promote responsible recruitment practices among its members by developing their own recruiting standards and guidelines. The association plans to offer their members a variety of capacity building activities to encourage them to improve transparency in their recruitment with digital technology and increased member collaboration.
Mr. Nattagret Sirirakwongsa, the Vice President of the Association of Entrepreneurs Bringing Foreigners to Work in the Country (a recruitment agency association), said responsible recruitment can enhance member reputation, reduce risks related to legal issues, increase productivity, and improve business sustainability. These factors support the country’s economy, society, and security. In the future, the association will continue to promote responsible recruitment by developing clear policies and standards for its members, offering capacity building activities, encouraging members to collaborate with each other, and complying with Thai law and international standards. This is expected to make worker recruitment fair and sustainable.
The four associations have continually supported the implementation of US Department of Labor funded Fostering Accountability in Recruitment for Fishery Workers (FAIR Fish) project implemented by Plan International. The aim of the project is to reduce forced labor and human trafficking during the recruitment of migrant workers who are employed in Thailand’s seafood processing sector. The project implementation period is from January 2019 to December 2024.
The FAIR Fish project presented its awards and certificates to recognize commitment to responsible recruitment by selected Thai seafood processing companies and recruitment agencies. Companies that received awards for their commitment to responsible recruitment included Foreign Worker Employment Agency Central Unity Group Service Company, I.S.A. Value, Patayafood Industries, Rayong Fish Sauce Industry, Siam International Food, Southeast Asian Packaging and Canning, Thai Royal Frozen Food Company, Thai Union Group, and Unicord.
Plan International works with children and girls in over 80 countries to create a world where we are all equal. Ms. Babeth Ngoc Han Lefur, Director of Sub Region of Plan International Asia Pacific, said in Thailand, the majority of workers in the seafood processing industry are migrant workers and most of them are women. The FAIR Fish project is Plan International’s effort to create a just world for seafood workers who are from Thailand and other countries. The project has developed a Responsible Recruitment Model with technical support from Solutions People Company. The FAIR Fish Responsible Recruitment Model is not only aligned with international human rights and labor rights principles, but also with Plan International’s gender equality and inclusion principles. Once adopted widely by seafood companies and recruitment agencies, the model can lead to structural changes in the recruitment and employment practices of the Thai seafood industry leading to a reduction of forced labour and human trafficking. We are glad that certain Thai seafood processing companies and recruitment agencies have shown their commitment to responsible recruitment.
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The FAIR Fish Project’s funding is provided by the United States Department of Labor under cooperative agreement number IL-32819-18-75-K. 100 percent of the total costs of the project or program is financed with USG federal funds, for a total of $4,400,000 dollars. This material does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the United States Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the United States Government.
