BANGKOK, Jan 13 – Thailand’s Labour Ministry asked operators in all kinds of businesses to help fight human trafficking, child labour exploitation and illegal drugs, after Thailand was put on the US-imposed Tier 2 Watch List for the third consecutive year.
Naruemon Tarndamrong, Advisor to the Minister of Labor, on Sunday presided over a caravan rally of almost 100 vehicles, campaigning against human trafficking and illegal narcotics.
The activity, held through cooperation of the state and the private sector, started at the minister’s office in Bangkok and ended at the Nongnooch Garden and Resort in Chonburi. Participants in the rally had to answer questions about human trafficking.
The US Trafficking in Persons (TiP) report put Thailand on the Tier 2 Watch List for three consecutive years. A country in the Tier 2 Watch List is not yet compliant to the maximum standards to combat trafficking in persons and is in danger of falling to Tier 3.
Mr Naruemon said all sectors have to work together to remove Thailand from the Tier 2 Watch List, believed to be involved in child and forced labour in shrimp, sugar cane, textile and pornography businesses.
If the situation continues, it may lead to the imposing of trade barriers or revoking trade aid to Thailand. Another problem is illegal drug abuse among labourers which could impact quality of goods and tarnish the country’s image, said she.
The Thai government is implementing measures to suppress illegal drugs and human trafficking to improve the country’s ranking in the next rating, she added.
