Greenpeace requests Thai Union must take urgent measures to address forced labour and destructive fishing. (Photo: Greenpeace)

Greenpeace urges Thai Union to stop alleged labour abuse

THAILAND
Tuesday, October 06, 2015, 00:30 (GMT + 9)

Greenpeace has urged Thai Union to increase oversight, traceability and transparency at sea after alleged connections of the Thai firm to alleged forced labour, human rights abuses and environmental devastation.

“We can no longer allow Thai Union Group and its brands around the world to sacrifice the world’s oceans and jeopardise workers at sea,” claimed Greenpeace US Seafood Markets Lead Graham Forbes.

“For far too long Thai Union Group has passed the blame onto others and hidden behind ineffective policies. Until this industry giant takes responsibility and demonstrates real leadership, we will work to ensure that every single customer knows it’s not just tuna that comes with purchasing one of its tainted brands,” Forbes added.

As part of its campaign, Greenpeace demands the firm, which makes the US Chicken of the Sea brand and counts Wal-Mart and Costco Wholesale Corp among buyers, to carry out a detailed work plan and schedule for moving toward lower-impact fishing techniques.

The NGO has based its decision on all the investigations and media reports from the New York Times and Associated Press connecting the company to human rights abuses, forced labour and destructive fishing methods.

The international organisation details that these investigations have shown that Thai Union and its subsidiary brands primarily catch tuna using two fishing methods: purse seining with fish aggregating devices (FADs) and longlining. And it highlights that these methods result in high levels of bycatch of sharks, turtles, juvenile tuna and seabirds, and are often associated with illegal fishing and violations of human and workers’ rights.

For its part, Greenpeace Southeast Asia sent an investor brief to Thai Union Group shareholders to inform them of the risks associated with the company.

The NGO explained that three class-action lawsuits have already named the firm as the supplier of fish caught via forced labour and used in Chicken of the Sea canned tuna and pet food brands in the US.

Meanwhile, the European Union issued a yellow card to Taiwan for its failure to take action against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which is often associated with labour abuses. It has been revealed that Taiwanese flagged and owned tuna vessels supply Thai Union Group brands around the world.

Some members of the sector consider that the move could jeopardize Thai Union's plan to acquire U.S. rival Bumble Bee, which awaits approval from US antitrust authorities, Reuters reported.

On the other hand, Thai Union expressed in a statement it was committed to responsible sourcing and legal compliance to ensure all supply chains were treated with respect and human rights upheld.

"We call on Greenpeace to enter into an open and transparent dialogue with Thai Union so that together we can work towards achieving our shared objectives," it read.
 

Related articles:

- EC issues yellow cards to Taiwan and Comoros over illegal fishing
- Thai Union launches new ethics and labour code of conduct

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