(Information Source: Bangkok Post, Editorial Column on Sat Jun 26, 2019, 04:00 am)

Now that the Thai government has "cleaned up" the country's lucrative fishing industry and saved seafood exporters from potentially huge losses deriving from lost exports to European Union markets, the time is nigh for it to address a bigger problem: saving migrant workers from abuse and exploitation in other sectors.

Since earlier this month, the EU has withdrawn its threat to ban Thai fisheries after the military government pushed through a series of reforms in the sector.

These include amendments to 138 regulations to make them align with international laws and standards. The government has also implemented measures to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

This week, a United Nations report pointed out that, while there are signs of progress in combating human trafficking and exploitative working conditions against migrants in the fishing industry, little has been done in other sectors.

Labour abuses and exploitation of migrant workers has been largely ignored, mainly because of the government's decision to focus on only one sector.

What the report avoids saying is that viewing such problems through such a limited lens arose from concern over the prospect of suffering financial losses of as much as US$300 million a year in terms of lost seafood exports.

The government was appalled by the threat of the EU's sanctions, not by the reported slave labour and exploitation of personnel working on offshore fishing boats or at seafood processing factories.

That is why its first priority has been to clean up this industry. However, the government should have more diligently explored whether similarly poor conditions plague other industrial sectors -- and responded by applying the same kind of measures to them.

The UN report highlights that there are indicators of forced labour, such as deceptive recruiting practices and the withholding of wages, in those overlooked industries. The most worrying trend was found among seasonal farm workers, who lack even a minimum wage, paid overtime, paid leave and social security. Worse yet, the measures "safeguarding" them from occupational hazards are woefully inadequate.

Many cases of exploitation have been recorded among domestic, sex and construction workers as well as industries like hospitality and garment manufacturing.

There are many reasons why we should save the migrant workforce from being taken advantage of. Labourers from Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia made formidable contributions to Thailand's economic boom from 1987 to 1996. After that period of growth, their role remains vital. They have helped to plug labour gaps by taking on dirty, dangerous and low-paid jobs that most Thais do not want to do.

At present, according to the International Organisation of Migration, it is estimated there are about 3.9 million migrant workers in Thailand, mostly from the aforementioned three countries. That would mean they account for over 10% of the workforce. Meanwhile, their contribution to the nation's GDP is estimated at 4.3-6.6%.

However, they are unlikely to see significantly improved working conditions and benefits until government agencies and employers start treating them on par with Thai workers, especially when it comes to wages.

The EU threat to ban Thai exports may have been lifted. But the task of cleaning up Thai industries has only just begun.