ETF and Europêche have raised serious concerns over the ongoing free trade agreement negotiations between the European Union and Thailand. In a joint letter addressed to Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, the European fisheries social partners highlighted the severe risks to social and labor standards, particularly concerning proposed concessions for tuna products.
At the core of the issue is the expected major increase of tuna products from Thailand and the subsequent threat of social dumping and the lack of a level playing field. The social partners are demanding strict reciprocity, insisting that all fish and seafood products entering the EU market must comply with international standards set by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
ETF and Europêche underline that, despite the adoption of Directive (EU) 2017/159, which brought the ILO Work in Fishing Convention (C188) into EU law, the Eu and global rate of ratification is low for both the C188 and other fundamental fisheries conventions, such as the IMO STCW-F.
While Thailand has ratified the ILO C188 convention, the Social Partners have serious doubts regarding its actual implementation and enforcement on the ground. These concerns are amplified by recent controversial amendments to the Thai Fisheries Act. Opening the European market to products that fail to respect basic labor rights and sustainability standards poses a direct threat to fair working conditions.
The letter stresses that the lack of workers' rights and safety conditions in third countries must not become a competitive advantage against European workers and companies. Endorsing lower labor standards for fishers would undermine international conventions and threaten fair working conditions across the entire sector.
