Documents exchange with a Thai fishing vessel crew. (Photo: Thai Union)
Thai Union to raise suppliers’ standards after fishing vessel audit
(THAILAND, 6/29/2018)
Thai Union Group PCL. has recently completed its first industry collaborative third-party audit on some Thai commercial fishing vessels supplying the company’s business.
The investigation was conducted by global safety consulting and certification company UL in line with SeaChange®, Thai Union’s sustainability strategy established to drive meaningful improvements across the entire global seafood industry.
According to what Paul English, Thai Union’s group president for pet care, informed the audit included 240 vessels in its sample size and helped identify potential labour and human rights abuses, as well as to improve performance of the Thai fleet by creating a targeted action plan based on its results.
“This is a good example of how industry is able to come together and lead in the fight to address problematic issues in a way that it is sustainable, as well as improve labour and ethical performance in the fishing sector,” said English.
As a result of the audit, Thai Union learned many vessels often need more guidance and support on issues such as worker contracts and human rights policies.
The company highlighted that the results of the audit will be used to put in place vessel improvement projects to raise the standard of its suppliers.
The investigation found out the following:
- Lack of policies and procedures in place, including, for example, covering child labor, forced labor, recruitment fees, human trafficking or human treatment.
- Many vessels did not provide a copy of labour contracts to crew, and contracts were poorly understood by workers.
- Retention of document (passport and seaman book) by the vessel owner is a common practice at sea.
- Most of the vessels pay workers by cash, instead of direct deposit.
- For many vessels with consecutive fishing days over 20 per month, a seventh day of rest was not provided on a regular basis to workers.
- Poor standard of health and safety equipment observed upon vessels.
Follow-up training to address the key issues raised is planned for later in 2018, held in collaboration with labor partners such as the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).
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Information of the company:
Address:
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72/1 Moo 7, Sethakit 1 Road, Tambon Tarsrai
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City:
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Amphur Muangsamutsakorn
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State/ZIP:
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Samutsakorn (74000)
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Country:
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Thailand
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Phone:
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+66 2 298 0024
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Fax:
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+66 2 298 0548
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E-Mail:
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[email protected]
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More about:
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Approval / Accreditation / Certified / Oversight by...
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