Thai Union Group PCL, a major player in the global seafood industry, recently co-hosted a workshop in Kaohsiung, Taiwan aimed at improving responsible recruitment practices within the fisheries sector. The event brought together nearly 70 participants from various parts of the supply chain, including representatives from the Taiwan Fisheries Agency, distant-water fishery associations, fishing companies, vessel owners, and local recruitment agencies.
The workshop focused on responsible recruitment as an essential safeguard for worker welfare. This is particularly important in cross-border hiring systems where inconsistent practices can lead to gaps in protection for workers. Real-life experiences of fishers were used as case studies to help identify practical steps that companies and recruiters can take to improve oversight and documentation during the hiring process.
Participants worked toward three main objectives: increasing awareness of risks associated with irresponsible recruitment using case studies; building practical understanding through tools and methods; and aligning with internationally recognized principles such as the Employer Pays Principle.
Key stages discussed included candidate sourcing, contract communication, and wage payment. The session highlighted how due diligence tools can help ensure clearer documentation and stronger oversight throughout these processes. In complex cross-border recruitment systems, even minor lapses in communication or documentation can pose risks to workers.
By bringing employers and recruiters together in one forum, organizers aimed to create a shared baseline for implementation and better alignment on daily practices.
“By engaging directly with key actors, we are developing a due diligence framework that ensures international requirements are adopted and monitored across the supply chain,” said Kimi Lee, Responsible Sourcing Consultant at Thai Union Group.
“This work is ultimately about driving collective industry effort to identify and implement practical solutions to systemic challenges,” said Sammie Ho Dumas, Senior Director, Sustainability and Social Impact at Thai Union Group.
This initiative forms part of Thai Union’s ongoing efforts under its SeaChange 2030 sustainability strategy. The company continues to invest in partner alignment and capability-building initiatives designed to promote continuous improvement across its seafood supply chains. More information about these efforts is available on their SeaChange platform (https://www.seachangesustainability.org/en/for-people/safe-decent-equitable-work).