Bangkok – Fishing operators have called on the Thai government to reconsider its decision to ratify a key international convention protecting workers’ rights, saying it hinders the Thai fishing industry.
200 fishing entrepreneurs from 22 provinces submitted a petition to the Ministry of Labor this past week, asking the administration to overturn its decision to ratify the International Labour Organization’s Convention on Work in Fishing (No. 188), citing the government’s failure to hold public hearings before the ratification, while raising a question as to why only 10 states out of 100 fish producing countries in the world adopted the agreement.
According to Permanent Secretary for Labor Jarin Chakkaphark, the petition contains three requests: 1) the government reconsiders the ratification, 2) a center and a committee be established to foster understanding of the issue, and 3) the government take into consideration people’s needs and problems and offer solutions accordingly.
The group also traveled to Government House to submit a letter to the prime minister regarding the issue. The letter was accepted by Sompas Nilapund, an advisor to the Office of the Prime Minister.
The National Legislative Assembly late last month approved the ratification of the convention, making Thailand the first Asian nation to adopt the agreement which sets the bar on working conditions on Thai fishing vessels.
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