Centre in Songkhla to help migrant fishermen and their families
A life development centre is being set up for fishermen's families at a fishing port in Songkhla province to help fishing boat labourers and prevent human trafficking of both Thais and foreigners as well as to help those who have been threatened by or suf
The centre is a cooperative effort by Charoen Pokphand Foods and other agencies including the Fish Marketing Organization.
Wuthichai Sithipreedanant, senior vice president for corporate social responsibility and sustainable development of CPF, said that the firm is aware that only the cooperation of all parties including the public and private sectors, nongovernmental organisations and stakeholders in the fishing industry could stop illegal labour and human trafficking.
There is a real need for a centre to build a network of volunteers to assist all fishing labour as well as to support human trafficking victims and their families.
“The centre aims to help fend off potential problems in the future,” said Wuthichai, adding Songkhla has been selected as a location for this centre as the province has witnessed an alarming increase in those falling prey to human traffickers.
The centre, which is located at Songkhla Fishing Port 2 (Tha Saan) Office in Muang district, will open this month with staff from the International Planned Parenthood Federation and the Stella Maris Seafarers’ centre.
It encompasses a classroom for migrant children, a prayer room, an infirmary and multipurpose space for use as an office, a coordination centre and a meeting room.
One of the centre’s tasks is to build and expand a network of migrant worker volunteers to mobilise help and protection for adults and children vulnerable to human trafficking. It will also offer language studies as well as vocational training of migrant workers and their children.
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