BANGKOK, 5 July 2015 – The Department of Labour Protection and Welfare has instructed its branches in twenty-two coastal provinces to closely observe impacts on fish workers as a result of the strike by fishing operators.
Director-General Peeraphat Pornsirilertkit said the department has so far found no negative impacts on fishery workers. Trawler owners who are unable to take their boats out to the sea still pay their workers and provide other benefits on a usual basis.
Mr.Peeraphat said surveys on the welfare of affected workers will be conducted constantly to ensure that government assistance will reach all of them thoroughly.
For unregistered boats, Mr.Peeraphat stressed, fishing operators should register their vessels and equipment within the extended deadline of July 15 to meet the government’s new requirements being enforced. Only after the registration that their boats would be able to set sail again, the director-general said.
