Thai sugar, sugarcane producers oppose use of child labor

BANGKOK, May 30 (TNA) - Thailand's sugar and sugarcane producers have signed a letter of intent with the Ministry of Industry's Office of the Cane and Sugar Board (OCSB) on opposing the use of child labor in local sugarcane plantations. Thai Industry Minister Prasert Boonchaisuk presided over the signing ceremony of the letter of intent at his ministry in Bangkok on Thursday. Prasert later told reporters the United States announced late last year that it had watched on the problem of human trafficking, covering the use of child labor, in Thailand and had banned imports of five product items from Thailand, including sugar made from sugarcane. According to the industry minister, the US boycott has affected Thailand's exports and image although the OCSB always requires local business operators to abide by labor laws and relevant international standards. Thailand now earns about 6 billion US dollars or 180 billion baht from domestic sale and exports of sugar. In the present harvest season (2012/2013), Thailand produces over 100 tonnes of sugarcane and 10 million tonnes of sugar, some 7 million tonnes of which have been set for exports to overseas markets. (TNA)