ILO-IPEC Thailand releases a mapping survey snapshot on shrimp and seafood primary processing workpkaces in Samut Sakhon province in Thailand

The ILO-IPEC project “Combating the Worst Forms of Child Labour in Shrimp and Seafood Processing Areas in Thailand” sponsored a research project during the second and third quarter of 2012 to survey primary processing facilities in Samut Sakhon, a province south of Bangkok.

The key objective of the survey was to get a better understanding about the shrimp and seafood primary processing industry its supply chain linkages, registrations, business practices, employment characteristics and wages.

The survey which included a GPS mapping and profiling of 582 enterprises was conducted by Dhurakij Pundit University Research Center, in collaboration with Department of Fisheries (DOF) and the Thai Frozen Foods Association (TFFA).

The results can be used to improve registration of informal enterprises, enhance work at the national and provincial levels against child labour and forced labour and generally for improving working conditions and the quality of life for Thai and migrant workers in the industry.

The survey recommendations pointed out to a greater need to promote awareness of labour rights that will enable Thai and migrant workers to exercise their fundamental rights at work. Industry, labour groups and community members were are also called upon to take a more active role in addressing challenges concerning respect to working conditions and worker welfare.

Considering the high level of informality and small scale of businesses it was also recommended that assistance should be given to micro- and small enterprises in moving up the value chain towards more formalized and systematic business practices.

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ILO-IPEC Thailand

The ILO-IPEC project 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 for 2010-14.