Thailand's child labour record faces US scrutiny

Labour Protection and Welfare Department (LPWD) chief Amporn Nitisiri, said in a meeting with US Embassy first secretary for economy, Lawrence J Petroni, she had affirmed Thailand's policy against human trafficking and listed a decrease in child workers over the past 23 years.

In the past, the US Department of Labor has made allegations of child and enforced labour in Thailand's sugarcane, shrimp and garment industries which could result in US trade barriers.

Amporn said Petroni explained that under a 1999 general law issuance, the US prohibits state organisations from buying goods produced by child labour in any country, not specifically Thailand.

Amporn said the LPWD replied that Thailand's policy against child labour was based on three points - 12-year obligatory education that helped save children from labour trafficking; LPWD measures to screen child labour;  and campaigns for Thai employers to use legitimate workers in their establishments and treat them well according to labour law.


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