Thailand’s position unchanged on US monthly statement but agencies stepping up sufferer protection
PUBLISHED: 27 Jun 2024 at 18: 16
The Ministry of Labour has made significant progress in improving its capacity to prevent prostitution of persons for workers but more can be done, says Pairoj Chotikasathien, the agency’s continuous minister.
He was commenting on the launch of the 2024 Trafficking in People Report , by the US state, on which Thailand remains on Level 2 for the second consecutive year.
Since being removed from the Tier 2 watch list three years ago, the Thai government has made significant efforts to improve its performance, according to the report, but it has n’t yet fully met the minimum requirements for eradicating trafficking.
Mr. Pairoj said the United States had advised Thai organizations to enhance their efforts to locate and protect victims of labor oppression when they return to the country.
According to the Ministry of Labour, the National Referral Mechanism ( NRM ) should be in place and victim identification centers that are focused on victims ‘ psychological trauma. Authorities on the front lines may be trained to adhere to the same rules as victims.
In the fish market, laws governing labor protection should also be put in place. According to the report, sea-based transfers may be prohibited, and options for digital payments should be made available to employees.
One of the three major organizations, according to Mr. Pairoj, is Thailand’s Ministry of Labour, which is charged with preventing and combating people prostitution.
According to him, the government has made significant progress in recent years in strengthening the capacity of the Secretariat of the Command Center of Prevention on Labour Prostitution to streamline operations and advance protection laws.
Standard operating procedures were even put in place to improve the ability of law enforcement in prostitution cases.
He explained that the government has increased the number of labor inspectors to focus on at-risk groups like migrant workers, baby labor, and those employed in the fishery industry, adding that this was done to ensure that workers receive legal protection that is compliant with global standards.
He claimed that the ministry is collaborating with other organizations to strengthen the Port-In-Port-Out ( PIPO ) Control Centers in 22 coastal provinces. Additionally, it has inspired private companies to work with US organizations in the protection sector and uphold good labor practices.
” I’d like to applaud representatives from all sectors for their work and commitment in tackling all forms of human trafficking,” he said.
According to Labor Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, who has given instructions to all important organizations to work harder to stop people smuggling in the nation,