Naval and government officials this month launched inspection of fishing boats nationwide to ensure they protected crewmembers.
Rear Adm. Banpot Gerdpoo presided over a meeting of the Thailand Maritime Enforcement Coordinating Center Area 1 March 3 to explain to various agencies the process for checking fishing vessels in Sattahip and other ports for compliance with the “Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing” program.
The government hopes to improve its human-rights record, especially in the fisheries industry, which has been soundly criticized for allowing boat owners to exploit crewmembers.
Rear Adm. Banpot Gerdpoo presides over the meeting.
The Labor Ministry is checking whether boats are registered, whether they employ underage crewmen, and whether workers were paid at least the minimum wage and had work permits, if necessary.
The inspections were required by the Feb. 20 adoption of the Ministerial Regulation No.10 on protection of fisheries workers. The regulation focuses security and welfare for those in the fishing industry and preventing human trafficking.
The Fisheries Department is sending 112 teams to 23 coastal provinces to gather registration details. At least 53,000 fishing boats have registered and the department has issued more than 11,000 licenses.
