Human rights lawyer Preeda Tongchumnum also lauded Thai government’s effort in tackling human trafficking but said more could be done, including ratifying the United Nations International Labor Organization convention. “Without these rights, migrant workers especially in Thailand’s biggest export industries remain vulnerable,” said Tongchumnum from the Solidarity Center office in Thailand.

“A credible and successful governance system would ensure that ALL workers (including migrant and informal economy workers) are covered by labor and other legal protections,” said Neha Misra, Solidarity Center Senior Specialist on Migration and Human Trafficking.

Solidarity Center Executive Director Shawna Bader-Blau was one of four representatives of the human and worker rights community at a meeting called by U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) with members of the Administration and advocacy groups to press for strong enforcement of the senators’ amendment to end the importation of products produced with forced labor into the United States.