Addressing labour welfare in general and key labour issues such as child labour, forced labour and migrant welfare in shrimp and seafood processing industry has been identified by the Royal Government of Thailand and the ILO as an area requiring attention. The industry plays an important role in the country’s economic development being among the three largest sources of national export revenue. In order to address the situation holistically and continue the momentum gained under the previous ILO-IPEC project a new initiative to address the Worst Forms of Child Labour in Shrimp and Seafood Processing Areas in Thailand has been created running from December 2010 until December 2014. The project aims to create a shrimp and seafood processing industry that is free of child labour and offers decent working conditions and opportunities to all workers, including migrant workers who contribute to the industry wellbeing and to the economic development of the country. Attention is given to the special situation of children and adolescents at risk of entering or/and involved in hazardous child labour.

Among other aspects, the project addresses gaps in the provision of education and social services for vulnerable Thai and migrant communities in the shrimp and seafood production and processing areas through area-based models for education and livelihood service provision. The 2-day meeting will be an opportunity for civil society partners working with IPEC to discuss issues related to child labour, formal and non formal education, livelihood needs and opportunities and to harmonize the interventions of the selected NGOs in the different provinces of Samut Sakhon, Surat Thani, Songhkla and Nakhon Si Thammarat.