Safe & Legal Labor

Providing safe, legal and freely-chosen employment in our own facilities and in supply chains is critically important to Thai Union.

While we have significant programs in place for our own employees, we are also partnering with specialist organizations and NGOs to ensure that those working in the wider industry are protected.

Globally, none of the fish is caught using Thai Union vessels but we are using our market position to improve labor conditions throughout the seafood supply chain. We know that full traceability of all our seafood products, from catch to consumption, will help accurately identify gaps in safe and legal labor and, critically, give workers a voice.

We are committed to this work and to helping the industry deliver against the United Nations’ goal to provide decent work and economic growth for communities and individuals throughout the world.

To learn more, click here to download our 2018 Safe and Legal Labor Update.

Our 2020
Milestones for 
Safe and Legal
Labor
We will treat all workers, whether migrant or local employees, fairly and with dignity. They will have safe and freely-chosen employment.
Our supply chains, from vessel to factory, will comply with labor regulations and our Business Ethics and Labor Code of Conduct.
With full traceability of all the seafood we purchase, we will have information about the labor practices on board vessels.
Through education and open dialog, we will empower our workers, giving them a voice today and into the future.
We are committed to leading an ongoing and active dialog with industry, government and civil society to ensure lasting improvements in labor practices across the entire industry.

Our Key Initiatives to Achieve
Safe & Legal Labor

Our Progress Towards Achieving
Safe & Legal Labor

Thai Union progresses on Greenpeace agreement

Thai Union has made substantial, positive progress in 2018 on its commitment as outlined in the company’s landmark agreement with Greenpeace.

Thai Union has made substantial, positive progress in 2018 on its commitment to implement measures that tackle illegal fishing and overfishing, as well as improve the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of workers throughout its supply chains, as outlined in the company’s landmark agreement with Greenpeace.

The agreement between Thai Union and Greenpeace was originally announced in July 2017. Thai Union committed to build upon its SeaChange® sustainability strategy, including efforts to support best practice fisheries, improve other fisheries, reduce illegal and unethical practices in its global supply chains, and bring more responsibly-caught tuna to key markets.

“Thai Union is working hard to drive strong, positive change throughout many parts of the seafood industry. The original agreement contained an ambitious set of commitments to deliver improvements in Thai Union supply chains for the benefit of our oceans and marine life, and for the rights of people working in the seafood industry. There is much work still to do, but it’s clear the company takes its commitments seriously and is making progress to deliver them,” said Greenpeace Senior Oceans Campaigner Oliver Knowles. “It is now time for other companies to step up and show similar leadership, so that we can increase the pace of change to protect the oceans and seafood workers.”

Click here to learn more. Click here to read the audit report on progress against the commitment.

SeaChange® showcased at EU Parliament

The event was hosted by MEP Ricardo Serrão Santos, an active Member of the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries.

In January 2018, Thai Union brought together Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), sustainability experts, NGOs and industry representatives to discuss how best to join forces to drive positive change across the seafood industry. A high-level stakeholder event, organized in the European Parliament, marked the launch of a week-long exhibition on SeaChange®. During this period, visitors had the opportunity to learn about sustainability challenges in the seafood and fishing industry through a diverse range of panels, infographics and videos. The launch event welcomed more than 60 high-level representatives of the political, NGO and industry spheres with responsibilities in the field of fisheries, sustainability, trade and employment.

The event was hosted by MEP Ricardo Serrão Santos, an active Member of the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries, who applauded Thai Union’s leadership.

Greenpeace and Thai Union reach agreement

Thai Union committed to measures that will tackle illegal fishing and overfishing, as well as improve the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of workers.

In 2017, Thai Union committed to measures that will tackle illegal fishing and overfishing, as well as improve the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of workers throughout the company’s supply chains. Thai Union’s new commitments build upon its sustainability strategy SeaChange®, including efforts to support best practice fisheries, improve other fisheries, reduce illegal and unethical practices in its global supply chains, and bring more responsibly-caught tuna to key markets.

“This marks huge progress for our oceans and marine life, and for the rights of people working in the seafood industry,” said Greenpeace International Executive Director Bunny McDiarmid. “If Thai Union implements these reforms, it will pressure other industry players to show the same level of ambition and drive much needed change. Now is the time for other companies to step up, and show similar leadership.”

Click here to learn more.

Thai Union conducts safety and health workshops

The workshops brought together vessel owners, captains, crew supervisors, crew members and other staff of suppliers.

Thai Union, in partnership with International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), in 2018 began to host health and safety training workshops for its suppliers as part of the company’s Capacity Building for Fisher Safety at Sea Program.

Thai Union’s Capacity Building for Fisher Safety at Sea Program has been recognized as part of the capacity building initiative within the ILO Ship to Shore Program funded by the European Union which works closely with the Thai Government.

Third-party auditing on Thai fishing vessels

Thai Union completed its first industry collaborative third-party audit, conducted by global safety consulting and certification company UL.

Thai Union, with the support of several of its customers, recently completed its first industry collaborative third-party audit, conducted by global safety consulting and certification company UL, on some Thai commercial fishing vessels supplying the company’s business. The third-party audit was conducted in line with SeaChange®, to drive meaningful improvements across the entire global seafood industry. It included 240 vessels in its sample size and helped identify potential labor and human rights abuses, as well as to improve performance of the Thai fleet by creating a targeted action plan based on its results.

Thai Union participates in Bali Process

CEOs and business leaders advise governments on how to prevent and combat human trafficking, modern slavery and related abuses.

Held in Perth, Australia in August 2017, Thai Union participated in the Bali Process Government and Business Forum, which allows governments to better engage the private sector to combat human trafficking, forced labor and related exploitation. Dr. Darian McBain, Thai Union’s Global Director for Sustainable Development, participated in two speaking panels addressing issues of modern slavery in supply chains. She also had the opportunity to deliver a floor statement highlighting Thai Union’s efforts to eradicate these exploitative issues. In 2018, Thai Union participated in the second annual Bali Process Government and Business Forum as well.

The Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime (Bali Process) has raised regional awareness of these namesake human rights issues. It is a forum for policy dialogue, information sharing and practical cooperation to help the region address these challenges.

Read more Progress Reports

 

Our Partners in Achieving
Safe & Legal Labor