The event organized in Talad Talay (Thai Seafood Market) in Samut Sakhon was organized by Thai Frozen Food Association (TFFA) and Thai Food Producers Association (TFPA) the two leading seafood industry organizations dealing with export seafood products in Thailand. The event was joined by the Provincial Governors office, representatives from labour, social affairs, health authorities, trade unions, private sector and NGOs working on child labour and worker’s rights issues. The event hall was also full of children as during the event corporate donations were given to schools in Samut Sakhon providing education services to migrant children.

The message on the world day against child labour is that when there is awareness of the issues, commitment and capacities to act it is possible to change the landscape of child labour in the sector, as well as generally in the Province” said Mr Tuomo Poutiainen, ILO-IPEC Project Manager in Thailand.

Apart from school donations the event was composed of showing of an advocacy video on child labour, cultural performances, commitment giving by private sector and a provision of awards given to enterprises that have shown good corporate citizenship through special CSR efforts on worker welfare.

In his welcome address the newly elected President of TFFA Dr Poj Aramwattananond highlighted the associations continued attention to improvement of child labour and forced labour situation in the sector. He thanked ILO-IPEC on increasing awareness on how to address labour related matters and welcomed more work in this area.

The Vice-Governor of the Province of Samut Sakhon Mr Manrath Ratanasukhon, emphasized the important role that migrant workers play in the economy of Samut Sakhon and pledged proactive steps to address gaps in labour law enforcement and also promoting better migrant children’s access to services. Remarks were also given by Department of Fisheries Deputy Director General Mr Cherdsak Vongkamolchun and TFPA President Ms Ampai Harnkraivilai and Mr Tuomo Poutiainen from the ILO-IPEC.

While there were speeches the day was that of children. Sitting patiently through the talks they got more excited during the cultural performances and when receiving contributions to their schools from private sector donors. Mr Sompong Srakaew, from Labour Protection Network (LPN) acted as a master of ceremony during the latter part of the event and asked the participating children to raise hand if they liked school better than work – a roar and sea of hands followed.

One of the receivers of scholarships was Mr Adison is a 13 years old boy at primary school seventh grade. He is talented in drawing and would like to make use of that talent somehow. He said that it’s too hard to know now what is going to happen after he finishes school, but he wants to finish school for sure. To avoid more questions he quickly run away to hide behind his comrades.

Ms Wawa is 13-years old student at the Wat Srisutharam School at grade 6. She has a plan. She wants to finish primary school first and then go to college and then more - all the way to university. She likes social sciences. Prior she worked in a peeling shed in the seafood processing industry. Her father came around to let her join school after LPN staff discussed with him. Ms Wawa thanked everyone in the audience for giving her the change of going to school and said that she would try hard in school to pay back everyone’s kindness.

The ILO-IPEC project on addressing child labour in the shrimp and seafood industry in Thailand has been working together with the Governors Officer, the Provincial Office of the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare in Samut Sakhon from late 2011 when the project commenced activities in the Province. ILO-IPEC provincial coordination office lead by Ms Taneeya Runcharoen was established late 2012.

ILO-IPEC Thailand

The ILO-IPEC project (2010-2014) in Thailand aims to address child labour and forced labour in shrimp and seafood processing areas and to help create an industry that is free of child labour and forced labour and offers decent working conditions and opportunities to Thai and migrant workers. Special attention is given to the situation of Thai and migrant children at risk of entering or/and involved in hazardous child labour. The ILO-IPEC programme is financed by the US Department of Labour.