In response to the United States' decision to downgrade Thailand to "Tier 3" in its annual Trafficking in Persons Report, eight seafood and fishery associations have revealed their action plan on labour conditions.
The eight associations are the Thai Fishery Association, Thai Fishmeal Producers Association, Thai Feed Mill Association, Thai Frozen Foods Association (TFFA), Thai Food Processors' Association, Thai Shrimp Association, Thai Tuna Industry Association (TTIA) and Thai Overseas Fisheries Association.
TFFA president Poj Aramwattananont explained all associations agreed to show the truth of Thai shrimp industry and related industries today, The Nation reported.
"We [Thai seafood manufacturers] need to convey correct information to the public after the British newspaper The Guardian and the US accused Thai food and related industries of employing illegal workers," he pointed out.
Meanwhile, National Fisheries Association of Thailand deputy president Mongkol Sukcharoenkana announced the association would reorganise the fishing boat and fishing system soon to prevent illegal labour problems.
The sector is aware of the fact that most of Thailand's market share in the export of shrimp to the US has been lost to competitors including Indonesia, Vietnam, India and Ecuador.
The US president's decision on whether to sanction Thai traders will be given within 90 days and meanwhile the associations and each company will urgently create understanding among trading partners and agencies.
Commerce Ministry has instructed the Thai Trade Representative in Washington DC to increase understanding among American importers and government agencies in a bid to prevent any impact on Thai trade with the US.
The Thai ministry and other involved ministries will soon send a team to the US for a meeting with government agencies, private enterprises, and directly with American consumers in various states of the US to send a clear message on Thai labour protection measures.
Besides, TFFA's members would spend a week in the US for a meeting with the National Fisheries Institute (NFI) and importers such as Walmart and other modern traders so that they continue to buy Thai food products.