Thai government guarantees continual efforts against human trafficking

BANGKOK, December 25 (TNA) - The Thai government has continued to seriously solve alleged human trafficking-related issues. Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai made the assurance, after his meeting with the private sector, the civil society and concerned agencies in Bangkok on December 24 on solutions to human trafficking and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Don told journalists that participants shared useful views to support the solutions, insisting that the Thai government has seriously and effectively tackled the issues with new laws and actions to meet international standards. Don blamed reported labour abuse in the Thai seafood industry on some wrongdoers, assessing that the small players in the business should not affect overall solutions or have any impact on foreigners’ evaluation of the Thai fishing industry. Besides, the Thai Frozen Foods Association and related operators are joining forces to solve the labour abuse to meet international standards. “I assure that Thailand has continued to seriously and sustainably solve illegal labour. I believe this can reduce the number of black sheep in the local seafood industry, but it will take times. And I do not think the black sheep in the industry will have any impact on a human trafficking ranking and IUU evaluation", said Don. According to the foreign minister, Thailand is ready to welcome European Union (EU) officials to field inspections in the Thai seafood industry so that they will have an opportunity to have first-hand experiences in Thailand's working on the issues. The foreign minister revealed that he plans to meet with Thursday's parties again to work out continual and serious solutions. (TNA)