ILO-IPEC Thailand with Provincial authorities in Surat Thani Province celebrated the world day against child labour on 15 June 2013. This first time ever event combining messages on working against child labour and human trafficking took the form of an advocacy event organized at the busy shopping and tourist Walking Street area in Surat Thani City that is close to the pier and hosts a Saturday evening market.

The Governor of the Surat Thani Province Mr Chatpong Chartraphuti launched “Together Surat Can” campaign against child labour and trafficking.

The Governor of the Surat Thani Province Mr Chatpong Chartraphuti kicked off a Tuk Tuk regatta/cavalcade with the campaign message “Child Labour Free and Safe Work - Together Surat Can”. In his opening remarks he said “These problems should be addressed by Thai society not only by the Government but all of us. Young workers and migrants should not be exploited just because they do not know the laws and everyone Thais and migrants should be treated the same”.

The celebration and advocacy campaign was then taken to the streets and to the ferry and fishing pier through launching of the advocacy campaign ‘“Together Surat Can”.

The key messages were displayed in local Tuk Tuks that drove around the tourist and city areas of Surat Thani. The event was continued at the location with quiz and games related to child labour and human trafficking, performances celebrating Southern culture and video showing on topics concerning on child labour and human trafficking.

Panel Discussion on Child Labour and Trafficking in Surat Thani on 15 June 2013.

The event also consisted of a panel discussion on child labour and human trafficking in the Province lead by the Provincial Operation Center on Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking, Provincial Operational Center on Providing Assistance to Women and Children and the ILO-IPEC project on addressing child labour in the shrimp and seafood industry in Thailand.

The ‘“Together Surat Can” campaign messages will be displayed for a month through the Tuk Tuks in Surat Thani and in public ferries carrying people to favourite Southern tourist destinations of Pa Nang, Tao and Samui Islands. Samui Island and Muang District will also share the messages through displaying them at busy traffic intersections.

The ILO-IPEC project on addressing child labour in the shrimp and seafood industry in Thailand has been working together with the Governors Officer and the Provincial Office of the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare from late 2011 when the project commenced activities in the Province. ILO-IPEC provincial coordination office lead by Aatcharaporn Chaowahem 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.