U.S. importers and superstores should have a better understanding of Thailand’s labor practices and standards after visiting fishery plants here, particularly shrimp plants, and supply chains, an expert said.
Paiboon Ponsuwanna, former president and honorary adviser of the Thai Frozen Foods Association, said Thai seafood exports should not be seriously affected by the U.S. State Department's recent downgrade of Thailand’s labor status in its “Trafficking in Persons” report because major trading partners are still confident in this countries manufacturing and labor standards.
Recently Costco, a U.S.-based superstore, sent a team to Thailand to inspect fishery supply chains, mostly shrimp plants in Mahachai, to evaluate labor standards. Paiboon said the firm was satisfied with the labor systems in each plant, so the team’s visit should result in better understanding of working conditions here.
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