Thai government says it’s not ignoring shrimp sheds slavery

BANGKOK – Thailand’s government said Monday it is not ignoring the slavery and forced labor in its lucrative shrimp industry that was highlighted in an Associated Press investigation published last week.

Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd, flanked by police, navy and other officials, held a news conference specifically to address issues raised by the AP story. The report has elicited widespread reactions around the world, including from major food companies in the U.S., Europe and Australia that buy Thai seafood.

Sansern said the government was already aware of slavery in the industry before the AP report was released Dec. 14.

“The report said that government officials ignore (this matter). … This is not the truth,” he said. “Authorities found it first,” he said, adding that the Thai government wants the shrimp industry to have “proper working conditions according to international laws.”

Thailand is one of the world’s biggest shrimp providers and its seafood export industry is estimated to bring in about $7 billion annually.

The AP report revealed the widespread use of undocumented migrant laborers, many from neighboring Myanmar. Many of these laborers end up being tricked or sold into shrimp-peeling sheds where they are forced to work 16-hour days with no time off and little or no pay for sometimes years at a time.

At the news conference Monday, government officials did not deny the existence of forced labor. But they disputed parts of the story, especially the AP’s assertion that police took bribes and turned a blind eye to the practices in the industry.

“This is not true,” Sansern said without elaborating.

The AP stood by its report.

“We stand firmly behind our reporters’ coverage, which has been scrupulous, thorough and fair,” said Paul Colford, an AP vice president and director of media relations.