The report Tracking progress: Assessing business responses to forced labour and human trafficking in the Thai seafood industry was commissioned by Humanity United and the Freedom Fund and conducted by Praxis Lab. It examines the persistent issue of labour abuse in Thailand’s seafood industry affecting migrant workers from Myanmar, Cambodia, and Lao PDR. The report highlights the Seafood Task Force (STF), a collective industry initiative addressing forced labour and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The STF serves as a platform for companies to collaborate on improving labour conditions and accountability within the seafood supply chain, although it faces challenges in translating policies into effective practices and incorporating workers’ voices.
In response to these issues, the Royal Thai Government (RTG) has implemented significant reforms since 2015, including overhauling legal frameworks, regulating recruitment agents, and enhancing anti-trafficking laws. Despite these advancements, challenges remain, such as the need for effective implementation of reforms and ongoing employer resistance to labour rights protections. While progress has been made, continued multi-stakeholder engagement, including support from the private sector and civil society, is essential to ensure that legal reforms lead to meaningful improvements in working conditions for seafood workers.
Click here or on the image below to access the report.
