BANGKOK– Government Spokesman Major General Sansern Kaewkamnerd affirmed the government’s serious stance in cracking down on illegal labor and slave labor, especially related to the fishing industry, as seen by the declining number of cases.
On November 9th, a foreign news agency reported that a factory in Samut Sakhon province was using slave labor and that authorities in the area had not taken any legal action against the factory, resulting in a misunderstanding. Following the report, people have been circulating information about banning Thai fishery products, zeroing in on frozen shrimp, after it was reported that they were peeled by slave labor. The government spokesman claimed the information provided is one sided and has not been shared responsibly, which has hurt the country’s image.
The government spokesman believes that Thailand neither condones nor supports slave labor and that the government is proceeding with the case legally, in a bid to bring justice to all laborers who come to Thailand to work. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha has ordered officials to take the utmost legal action against all those involved.
On December 21st, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan is set to provide the government view of the issue at Government House press center at 10:00 am.
