"Protecting migrant fishworkers’ rights at sea", 1 August 2022

A decade ago, Thailand’s fishing industry was rocked by an ongoing modern slavery scandal. According to numerous reports, people were deceived or coerced into fishing work, trafficked, and subjected to appalling conditions. In response to international pressure, the Thai government undertook major fishing practice and labour reforms.

One key reform promise was the introduction of traceability systems. [...]

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However, despite these traceability measures, they do not ensure adequate safety at sea. [...]

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The lack of migration policy integration in fisheries reform is part of the reason for the current state of affairs. The Thai government keeps migrants’ working status temporary, offering no long-term security. The reform makes employers, often the same age group as boat owners, accountable for migrant fishworkers welfare and documentation. Although legally binding through detailed procedures, the migrants have limited freedom of movement in a system that locks workers into debt and therefore vulnerable to exploitation.

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While traceability systems can provide a sense of security from extreme abuse, they are not a panacea for the exploitation of migrant workers at sea. Without well-intended migration policy interventions from the Thai government, it cannot achieve better labour rights and living conditions among migrant fishworkers.