Charoen Pokphand Foods has pledged to continue supporting the Fishermen Life Enhancement Center in Songkhla province, Thailand.
Beginning in 2016, CP Foods partnered with Fish Marketing Organization Thailand, the Stella Maris Centre for Seafarers Songkhla (Baan Suksan), the Thai Department of Labor Protection and Welfare, the Family Planning Association of Thailand, waste management firm GEPP Sa-Ard, and PTT Global Chemical.
The project was designed to address human trafficking, illegal labor, and child labor exploitation in the seafood industry and “establish a model that promotes equality and enhances the quality of life for migrant workers in the seafood supply chain across various provinces,” according to CP Foods.
The center helps locals in Songkhla pay for medical expenses and household goods in an effort to combat human trafficking. It also operates a classroom designed to give Cambodian migrants the skills they need to enter elementary school in Thailand, including math and language lessons, and it offers families training in growing garden vegetables and basic finances. There are currently 34 students enrolled in the program, and since 2016, 268 migrant children from the program have enrolled in the Thai education system.
Additionally, the center operates an educational program for migrant women designed to increase their awareness and knowledge in workplace safety, healthcare, and career development, and to give them skills needed to enter the workforce, in line with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
FLEC Center Committee Member Nattaya Petcharat said the program has “resulted in tangible improvements in the living conditions of migrant workers on fishing boats and their families, while simultaneously promoting a sustainable seafood supply chain in Thailand.”
“Through collaborative efforts, [we] have made significant strides in eradicating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing practices in Songkhla and nearby areas,” Petcharat said.
The FLEC Center also promotes effective garbage sorting and provides incentives for the exchange of recyclable waste for essential household items.
“By doing so, it alleviates the financial burden on migrant families while promoting environmental sustainability,” Petcharat said. “Furthermore, the center actively participates in the collection of marine debris on International Ocean Clean Up Day, adhering to the guidelines set by Ocean Conservancy. As a result, the Restore the Ocean project has achieved remarkable success, with over 13,000 kilograms of debris collected last year. This significant contribution to the conservation of marine resources is a testament to the center's dedication and commitment to preserving the health of our oceans.”
Photo courtesy of CP Foods
