Question

What measures has Thailand taken to fight human trafficking ? What measures does US still needs to take?

Answer 1

Human trafficking is a very dreadful crime that has affected almost every country and society. It includes slavery of human beings who are exploited physically, mentally and deprived of their fundamental rights. Thailand is facing many types of human trafficking like - Sexual Exploitation, Forced Labour and Slavery, Forced Begging and even Removal of Organs. Thailand government has adopted several measures to combat it -

1. Thai Government has introduced “Zero tolerance” policy against trafficking which emphasizes on enhanced government policies for eliminating legal loopholes which ensures greater coordination among concerned agencies. Anti-Human Trafficking Act 2015 has been also amended and authorities are directed to seize operating licenses of factories where evidences of trafficking are found. Person found guilty of human trafficking is sentenced to 8-20 years of jail and up to 400,000 baht fines. The proprietors or the head of a factory/hotels has been strictly directed to monitor the working conditions of their employees and ensure that they are not deprived of their fundamental and human rights. Fisheries Act B.E. 2558 (2015) ensures surveillance of all commercial fishing vessels and rule out any possibility of illegal workers in seafood-processing factory. Punishment of up to 800,000 baht or closure of the factory that violates the law are some laws under this act.

2. If any such person or company is found guilty of human trafficking the government ensures strict law enforcement and fair justice system by forming a Special Human Trafficking Unit within the Criminal Court. Regulation of the Office of the Prime Minister on Measures to Prevent Public Officials’ Involvement in Human Trafficking (2015) also ensures that involvement and ignorance by public officials to labour abuses and trafficking will not be tolerated.

3. To ensure protection and equality to migrant employees, Labour Relations Act of 1975 and the Labour Protection Act of 1998 has been enforced in Thailand. Many hotline number services have been started for government for proper complaint registration. The Action Plan to Address Human Trafficking in Women and Children has also been set up to systemize screening for potential victims at borders and monitoring of establishments involved in human trafficking. Government offers many MOUs with Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia for offering employment to migrants so that people can access legal protection, social and healthcare benefits. Thailand has collaborated with international organizations such as ILO and IOM, NGOs and private sectors to promote better working conditions for migrants.

Apart from Thailand, US is also affected by human trafficking and is also a source of it. Measures still needed by US to ensure eradication of human trafficking –

1. The government must ensure proper channel to fairly handle human trafficking cases by collaborating with international organizations

2.Amendment in the Section 307 of the Tariff Act in 2016, has resulted in a loophole that prevented the import of goods made with forced labor into the United States. Government should ensure strict ban on goods made with forced labor and discourage flourishment of human trafficking.