AP: Global supermarkets selling Thai shrimp peeled by slaves

[hhfarang]

"SAMUT SAKHON, Thailand (AP) -- Every morning at 2 a.m., they heard a kick on the door and a threat: Get up or get beaten. For the next 16 hours, No. 31 and his wife stood in the factory that owned them with their aching hands in ice water. They ripped the guts, heads, tails and shells off shrimp bound for overseas markets, including grocery stores and all-you-can-eat buffets across the United States.

After being sold to the Gig Peeling Factory, they were at the mercy of their Thai bosses, trapped with nearly 100 other Burmese migrants. Children worked alongside them, including a girl so tiny she had to stand on a stool to reach the peeling table. Some had been there for months, even years, getting little or no pay. Always, someone was watching. ..."

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ap-globa ... 05163.html

[jingjoe]

this story is front page of "the age" today,a major newspaper in Australia,another negative story to add to the pile coming out of Thailand.

[StevePIraq]

Do you think anything will change, I doubt it. Countries are more concerned with their economies to ban imports and increase prices.

[Siani]

http://google.com/newsstand/s/CBIw6JSsoScI
I read this too. I also read about slave monkeys. Prawns are mega cheap in the UK at the moment. I shall be looking at the package before buying. Unfortunately slavery is a world problem at the moment. In the UK we even have Polish car wash slaves.

[usual suspect]

Saw a report once on the BBC news where the Scottish prawn/shrimp industry found it ecomically viable to ship seafood to Thailand to be peeled/cleaned, then shipped back to the UK..!
(This report maybe highlights just one of many countries doing this practice..hence the need for slave-labour, & the Thai 'fat cats' getting fatter from it all)...

[barrys]

Saw a report once on the BBC news where the Scottish prawn/shrimp industry found it ecomically viable to ship seafood to Thailand to be peeled/cleaned, then shipped back to the UK..!
(This report maybe highlights just one of many countries doing this practice..hence the need for slave-labour, & the Thai 'fat cats' getting fatter from it all)...

And the Scottish ones too, apparently, from the money they're saving by doing it....

[caller]

In part, I guess this has been reported on now to demonstrate that the Thai's have been paying lip service to the demands of the EU, as the report states:

The European Union issued a warning earlier this year that tripled seafood import tariffs, and is expected to decide next month whether to impose an outright ban.

[StevePIraq]

Now being reported by the BBC, it is time Thailand stopped this practice before their products are banned.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-35106683

[europtimiste]

And what about seasonal workers during harvest in Europe ? How are they paid and under which condition do they live ? So you should boycott grapes, vegetables, fruits and even wine and fruit juice.

[StevePIraq]

And what about seasonal workers during harvest in Europe ? How are they paid and under which condition do they live ? So you should boycott grapes, vegetables, fruits and even wine and fruit juice.

Of course if you feel strongly about it, however I doubt European seasonal workers are kept locked up in a shed and have to work 16 hours 7 days a week, and they most likely get paid and are not trafficked.

[dtaai-maai]

And what about seasonal workers during harvest in Europe ? How are they paid and under which condition do they live ? So you should boycott grapes, vegetables, fruits and even wine and fruit juice.

I don't know if you're agreeing with a boycott of shrimps and suggesting it should be extended to the other products you mention, or if you're mocking the idea of boycotting any of them.

Of course, there is no comparison between forced labour in SE Asia and low-paid (voluntary) seasonal work in Europe, so neither idea makes any sense. Par for the course for your posts.

[europtimiste]

I don't suggest any extension of boycott to other products. I will not boycott seafood, even if there is forced labour as said. There is no difference between the Burmese or Cambodian or Laos worker who comes to Thailand and the Maroccon or African or Romanian going to Italy, Spain, France or Scandinavian countries for harvest. Both are volonteers for a better pay.

[dtaai-maai]

I'm not going to waste my time pointing out the obvious flaws in your argument, because I believe that is the only reason you post.

[StevePIraq]

I can't believe what euro said, Burmese are volunteers to be locked up, unpaid slaves.

[Bristolian]

I can't believe what euro said.

Surely this can't be the first time?