• Burmese
Thursday, November 30, 2023
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
26 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Features
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Features
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Asia

Thai Government Says It’s Not Ignoring Shrimp Sheds Slavery

by Associated Press
December 21, 2015
in Uncategorized
Reading Time: 2 mins read
A A
Thai Government Says It’s Not Ignoring Shrimp Sheds Slavery

A protester holding a placard takes part in a rally against Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s security bill and his administration in front of the parliament in Tokyo

2.8k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

BANGKOK — Thailand’s government said Monday it is not ignoring the slavery and forced labor in its lucrative shrimp industry that was highlighted in an Associated Press investigation published last week.

Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd, flanked by several police and navy officials, held a news conference specifically to address issues raised by the AP report.

RelatedPosts

Myanmar IDPs Stranded by Junta Troops in Northern Shan State Face a Long Walk Home

Myanmar IDPs Stranded by Junta Troops in Northern Shan State Face a Long Walk Home

November 30, 2023
981
Myanmar Junta Relying on Airstrikes in Loikaw Fighting: Resistance

Myanmar Junta Relying on Airstrikes in Loikaw Fighting: Resistance

November 30, 2023
541
Myanmar Junta Plays Up ‘Strong’ China Ties a Week After Anti-Beijing Protests

Myanmar Junta Plays Up ‘Strong’ China Ties a Week After Anti-Beijing Protests

November 30, 2023
949

Sansern said the government was already aware of slavery in the industry before the AP report was released Dec. 14. “Authorities found it first,” he said.

Kornchai Klaiklung, the head of the anti-human trafficking wing of the police, said “a number of things including the report about debt-bound laborers interest us and we are looking into it and will prosecute them [the culprits].”

Thailand is one of the world’s biggest shrimp providers and its seafood export industry is estimated to bring in about $7 billion annually. The AP report revealed the widespread use of undocumented migrant laborers, many from neighboring Burma.

Many of these laborers end up being tricked or sold into shrimp-peeling sheds where they are forced to work 16-hour days with no time off and little or no pay for sometimes years at a time. Some end up locked inside. Others are allowed to go out, but only if they leave their children or spouse behind as a guarantee against running away.

A day after the AP report, Thiraphong Chansiri, the president of Thai Union, one of the world’s biggest seafood exporters, expressed frustration and promised change. He said the AP investigation should be a “wake-up call” to the industry. Many exporters have bought shrimp from, or outsourced peeling work to, smaller operators who have less oversight.

At the news conference Monday, government officials did not deny the existence of forced labor but disputed parts of the story, especially the AP’s assertion that police took bribes and turned a blind eye to the practices in the industry.

“This is not true,” Sansern said without elaborating. He said Thailand could not have become one of the top shrimp exporters in the world with the use of slave labor alone.

“There are a number of criteria needed to become leader in the field such as quality of the product… not just cheap labor alone.”

The AP stood by its report, which was part of a series of investigations this year into slavery in the fishing industry in the region. More than 2,000 trapped fishermen were freed earlier this year from an island in Indonesia as a result of the AP’s work. The reports also have led to a dozen arrests, millions of dollars’ worth of seizures and proposals for new federal laws.

“We stand firmly behind our reporters’ coverage, which has been scrupulous, thorough and fair,” said Paul Colford, an AP vice president and director of media relations. “Their stories exposing the enslavement of workers in the Southeast Asian fishing industry have been a source of great pride throughout The Associated Press.”

Your Thoughts …
Tags: AseanMigrant Issues
Previous Post

Indonesian Police Foil String of ‘Jihad’ Attacks

Next Post

Gone to Pot? Changing Times Challenge Local Industry in Twante

Associated Press

Associated Press

...

Similar Picks:

Singapore Called On to Stop Feeding Myanmar Junta’s War Machine

Singapore Called On to Stop Feeding Myanmar Junta’s War Machine

August 24, 2023
9k
Myanmar and the Death of ASEAN

Myanmar and the Death of ASEAN

August 29, 2023
6k
Thailand Sentences 7 to Jail for Protesting Myanmar Coup

Thailand Sentences 7 to Jail for Protesting Myanmar Coup

August 24, 2023
4.2k
Getting Under the Skin of Myanmar’s Dictators

Getting Under the Skin of Myanmar’s Dictators

July 27, 2023
3.4k
Junta Watch: Cash-Starved Regime Rewards Tax Informants; Min Aung Hlaing Harangues Law Enforcers; and More

Junta Watch: Cash-Starved Regime Rewards Tax Informants; Min Aung Hlaing Harangues Law Enforcers; and More

August 12, 2023
3.2k
Myanmar Junta’s Message Is Clear: No Intention of Reducing Violence

Myanmar Junta’s Message Is Clear: No Intention of Reducing Violence

August 24, 2023
3.1k
Load More
Next Post
Gone to Pot? Changing Times Challenge Local Industry in Twante

Gone to Pot? Changing Times Challenge Local Industry in Twante

Trafficking Survivors Struggle to Rebuild Their Lives Back Home

Trafficking Survivors Struggle to Rebuild Their Lives Back Home

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

Echoes of 2017 Genocide as Myanmar Junta Imposes ‘Four Cuts’ on Rakhine

Echoes of 2017 Genocide as Myanmar Junta Imposes ‘Four Cuts’ on Rakhine

1 week ago
7.1k
Illusion of Myanmar Military’s Indispensability Has Been Shattered

Illusion of Myanmar Military’s Indispensability Has Been Shattered

2 days ago
4.9k

Most Read

  • Another Entire Junta Battalion Raises the White Flag in Myanmar’s Northern Shan State

    Another Entire Junta Battalion Raises the White Flag in Myanmar’s Northern Shan State

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Exodus: Tens of Thousands Flee as Myanmar Junta Troops Face Last Stand in Kokang

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Chief Says ‘Foreign Experts’ Helping in Offensive Against Military

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Airstrikes Force Sagaing Resistance Retreat

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • FACT CHECK: Exposing the Myanmar Junta’s Lies on Operation 1027 

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Features
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.