ASEAN food makers look to correct labor abuses in supply chains

Thai Union pledges monitoring across suppliers' tuna fleets to catch violations

Human rights and environmental activists are stepping up pressure on food producers in Southeast Asia to pursue responsible and sustainable business practices. © Reuters

TAMAKI KYOZUKA, MARIMI KISHIMOTO and TAKASHI NAKANO, Nikkei staff writers

September 23, 2021 11:37 JST

TOKYO/BANGKOK/SINGAPORE -- Thai Union has promised to deploy electronic monitoring systems in all of its suppliers' tuna fishing vessels by 2025 to crack down on labor rights violations, a move that could have a far-reaching impact on the industry's business practices.

The world's top producer of canned tuna will use equipment, including cameras, global positioning systems and sensors, that will track working conditions on board as part of the company's commitment to "100% transparency" in its tuna supply chain.