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How Companies Can Address Human Trafficking in Thai Seafood Industry

June 18, 2014
Thai boat workers

Last week, the Guardian reported that Thai exporter CP Foods purchases fish meal for its shrimp stock made with fish caught by human trafficking victims aboard Thai fishing vessels. The fishermen reported brutal physical violence, even murder, regularly occurring on boats. The report identified major retailers – including Walmart, Costco, Tesco and Carrefour –buying shrimp from CP Foods, a groundbreaking link between forced labor in the “trash fish” industry in Thailand and the seafood on menus and in grocery store freezers around the world.

Discrimination at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

June 13, 2014

In a letter sent today to the Board of Broadcasting Governors (BBG), the International Labor Rights Forum calls for the U.S. Government agency to end discriminatory employment policies at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and implement the U.S. Government’s commitments under the OECD Guidelines for Multi-national Enterprises and the United Nations’ Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights.
 

Mr. Jeffrey Shell
Chairman
Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG)
330 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20237
U.S.A

June 13, 2014

Dear Mr. Shell,

25 Cambodian Detainees Released, Charges Remain

May 30, 2014

This morning the remaining 22 of the 25 people - garment workers, trade unionists, monks, activists, bystanders - who were arrested in Cambodia on November 12 and January 2 and 3 amidst strikes for higher wages were finally released from prison. Labor and human rights organizations who had been calling for their freedom celebrated their release today as they also firmly called for the dropping of the sentences. The freed detainees have received suspended sentences of one to four-and-a-half years of imprisonment. Several were also fined 8 million riel ($2,000).

Advocate for migrant workers in Thailand under threat

May 29, 2014

ILRF is concerned about the most recent charges brought against labor rights activist Andy Hall by the Natural Fruit Company. Hall now faces four defamation charges (both civil and criminal) and two charges under the Computer Crimes Act. Natural Fruit is a Thai export company producing pineapple juice and dried fruit. The NGO Finnwatch has published two reports documenting poor labor conditions in the Natural Fruit factory, including child labor, failure to pay overtime, confiscation of migrant workers’ passports, and conditions that amount to human trafficking.

Does the De-Facto Government Think It Can Afford to Lose Cambodia's Largest Buyers?

May 29, 2014

This week high level discussions took place between representatives of the de-facto government and major international brands sourcing Cambodian garments. As the trial of the 23 approaches, the message communicated was clear: “due to [the] reaction of consumers and the disruptionto production and shipping caused by continued unrest, Cambodia [is] at risk of losing its status as a strategic sourcing market, with an impact on future investment and growth.”

May Day 2014: Build a United Struggle for a Just Economy, an Egalitarian Society and a Democratic Polity

May 1, 2014

Low wages dragged down further as workers are forced to migrate in search of jobs, the lack of employment opportunities and increasing income inequality have contributed to rising social marginalisation.  Women, dalits, adivasis, other oppressed castes and religious minorities, in particular muslims have been pushed to the margins of the labour market, if not out of it. They are not just losing opportunities of employment but also the opportunity of social mobility from one generation to the next. Low incomes and irregular jobs have affected access to adequate healthcare and a quality education, both of which constitute the key recognised necessities for intergenerational social mobility.

International Women’s Day: It’s About Women’s Wages & Women’s Voices

March 8, 2014

Many versions abound about how International Women’s Day came to be, but all stories lead back to 1908 when 15,000 women marched through New York City protesting violence against garment workers and demanding better pay, better working conditions and voting rights.  Their slogan was Bread and Roses – signifying the need for better wages and a better quality of life.  In 1909 women workers marched again in Chicago, officially kick-starting a National Women’s Day.  The next year, European women proposed building on the US idea and agreed to make March 8th International Women’s Day.  This is one of the great manifestations of international solidarity among workers and women in particular.

KMU slams death threat vs. Mindanao labor leader

January 30, 2014

National labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno condemned today the contractor of a Japanese banana company for harassing and issuing a death threat against a union leader in southern Mindanao.

Vicente Barrios, president of the Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa Suyapa Farm (Namasufa-National Federation of Labor Unions-KMU), was fired upon and held at gunpoint by Jesus Jamero, contractor of Japanese banana company Sumifru.

Barrios was leading about 100 of Sumifru’s workers in a picket-protest in front of Jamero’s residence in Compostela Valley when the contractor came out carrying a gun.

Police and employers together threaten union activists for organizing brick kiln workers in Bhilwara Rajasthan

January 27, 2014

Madan Vaishnav, Secretary, Rajasthan Pradesh Int Bhatta Majdoor Union, along with three other union organizers – Shanti Lal Meena, Ratan Lal Bheel, and Shaitan Singh Raigar – was served a notice by the Sub Division Officer Mandal under Section 107/116 restraining him from undertaking provocative activities viz. organizing brick kiln workers. Mandal town has almost 100 brick kilns in its vicinity mostly employing inter-state seasonal migrants from UP and Bihar. The Rajasthan Pradesh Int Bhatta Majdoor Union was registered last year to organize these workers so that they can get minimum wages and other rights. Last year the workers had gone on a strike for three days demanding higher wages. During the strike the owners had attacked a procession of workers.

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