April 28, 2008

 

Labour rights abuse could affect Thailand and Bangladesh shrimp trade

 

 

Several leading US retailers have imported shrimp from plants in Thailand and Bangladesh that abuses labour rights, according to a report by the American Center for International Labor Solidarity (ACILS).

 

The concerning factories use child labour and subject them to sweatshop conditions, according to the report that is supported by the US State Department, sharing concerns about human trafficking and labour abuse in Thailand and Bangladesh.

 

The report highlighted that not all Thailand and Bangladesh shrimp plants engage in such practises but it suggests that the US consumers could pressurise producers to improve worker conditions as the US imports about US$1.5 billion worth of shrimp annually from Thailand and Bangladesh.

 

The shrimp industry's global trade group, the Global Aquaculture Alliance, said it would remove its member plants from the global market if they were offenders of labour rules.

 

Diplomats from both countries have admitted to the problems in interviews with CNN and said that their governments are striving to resolve the issues in the shrimp sector. The diplomats also emphasised on their developing economies.

 

In the past two years, Thai police have raided several shrimp processing plants and rescued hundreds of trafficked workers while Bangladesh's labour court has charged and punished those responsible in about half of 15 cases since 2006.

 

The State Department and the International Labor Organisation are currently working with Thailand and Bangladesh to improve worker conditions in their shrimp industries.

 

The 40-page report, which is the result of a three-year long investigation, said that sexual and physical abuse, debt bondage, child labour as well as poor working conditions are common in Thailand and Bangladesh's shrimp processing factories. The report also said that Thai plants often use trafficked workers.

 

Concerning US retailers include Wal-Mart, Costco and Trader Joe's. Responding to CNN inquiries, Wal-Mart said it is unaware of the problems but will look into the matter.

 

Mark Lagon, the State Department's ambassador, visited Thailand and met a young Burmese girl rescued from one of the plants. The factory guards punished her and the others who had tried to escape, and the girl was beaten and her head shaved, according to Lagon.

 

ACILS said they are publishing the report to increase consumer awareness, and the State Department is hoping that the report will help consumers to consider their buying options.

 

The average shrimp consumption of an American is three pounds per year.