<a href="http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/794021/shrimp-peeled-by-slaves-in-thailand" target="_blank">A recent Associated Press report</a> on slavery in the Thai seafood industry is "extremely irresponsible" and could cause misunderstandings, Prime Minister's Office spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said on Saturday.
The report has given the impression that Thailand uses slave labour extensively and aimed to fan negative sentiment against Thai products, especially frozen shrimp, which it said were peeled by slave labour, he said.
"This is a one-sided, extremely irresponsible report. It has tarnished Thailand's image even as the government is seriously cracking down on illegal and slave workers, especially in the seafood industry. We're determined to do so until the problem is solved," said Maj Gen Sansern.
The exposure of wrongdoing does not mean Thailand sanctions the use of slave labour, he continued. "On the contrary, we're taking action against all illegal workers in Thailand."
Revelations of human trafficking, illegal labour and malpractice in the fishing industry have been mounting over the past year. Policymakers have been moving to carry out major reforms and step up enforcement to avoid trade sanctions and a potentially serious impact on the economy.
Thai Union Group Plc, one of the world's largest seafood producers, this week called the AP report "another wake-up call for the industry". It immediately announced plans to stop using subcontractors and move all shrimp-peeling operations in-house to ensure that all workers are treated fairly.
Maj Gen Sansern added that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had ordered strict action taken against all wrongdoers — from operators and workers to officials involved — to root out the problem.
A team dealing with fishery industry problems, led by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, will hold a news conference on the issue on Monday, he added.
