The US Department of Labor (DOL) has proposed to revise a decision dating back 15 years regarding the prevalence of child labor within the Thai shrimp industry. This revision comes on the heels of extensive scrutiny and collaborative efforts between the Department of Labor, the Department of State, and the US Department of Homeland Security.

Proposal for Change

Thai shrimp has been under the scrutiny of the U.S. Department of Labor since 2009, appearing on the “List of Goods Produced by Child or Forced Labor.” However, a recent proposal on May 10 aims to remove Thai shrimp from this list. The Department of Labor cites a significant decrease in the use of forced child labor in the Thai shrimp industry as the reason behind this proposed change.

Despite past reports and investigations revealing labor abuses in the Thai shrimp industry, the Department of Labor highlights the collective efforts made by the Royal Thai Government and relevant stakeholders to address these issues. Acknowledging the international attention garnered by Pulitzer Prize-winning investigations, the Department of Labor recognizes the substantial strides taken to combat child labor and forced labor within the industry.

Government and Private Sector Efforts

The Thai government has introduced various measures to tackle forced child labor in the shrimp industry. These measures include ratifying international labor conventions, implementing reforms in the fisheries sector, and tightening regulations on recruitment and labor management. Additionally, private businesses have played a crucial role by formalizing supply chains and eliminating unregulated facilities where labor exploitation was prevalent.

While progress has been made, challenges persist. Despite pledges to grant legal rights to migrant workers, effective implementation of anti-trafficking policies remains a concern. The Thai seafood industry faces obstacles in canceling previously approved reforms, yet the Department of Labor asserts that evidence supports a reduction in forced and child labor within the shrimp industry.