SAMUT SAKHON: External shrimp-peeling shed owners in Samut Sakhon have denied claims made in a recent Associated Press (AP) report about labour abuses in their businesses.
They also urged the Thai Frozen Foods Association (TFFA) to review its decision to stop buying processed shrimp from external sheds to reduce the risk of being accused of illegal labour practices.
The TFFA's recent move hurts all stakeholders in shrimp production, including owners who strictly follow the law and the workers in particular, Akhom Krueawan, president of the Samut Sakhon Seafood Processing Club said on Tuesday.
He was addressing 50 shrimp-peeling shed owners at a meeting in Samut Sakhon's Mahachai Muangthong community hall.
"I fully support and am ready to work with the government to stamp out human trafficking and illegal practices in the shrimp industry. Not all of us violate the law," Mr Akhom said.
The association's decision not to use independent shrimp-peeling sheds has forced many to close down, he said.
From tomorrow, all TFFA members will process shrimps in-house so they have full control over the working conditions of employees in the supply chain.
The move comes in response to the AP report which made claims about forced labour in the shrimp industry.
Any members who continue to buy shrimp from external shrimp-peeling sheds will have their membership revoked and be barred from exporting shrimp products, according to a TFFA statement.
The association plans to offer jobs to affected shrimp processing workers with its members.
TFFA president, Poj Aramwattananon, who also attended Tuesday's meeting, said the association stands by its decision.
If the TFFA does not take this seriously a European ban is likely and Thailand would remain on the lowest tier in the next US Trafficking in Persons report, he said.