The Department of Labour Protection and Welfare (DLPW), the Department of Livestock Development (DLD) and the Thai Broilers Processing Exporters Association joined together to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to improve standards in the industry.

The organisations aim to support companies with labour practices, to improve the image of poultry farming in the country after a series of bad publicity about slave labour, which caused concern in Thailand's main chicken importer, the EU.

The new Good Labour Practices Guidelines contain the major principles of no child labour, no forced labour, non-discrimination, and no human trafficking on labour.

The government departments involved in the Memorandum said they will closely monitor poultry companies to ensure they follow the new guidelines and comply with international labour standards. Companies that violate labour laws will not be allowed to export or sell their poultry products in the domestic market.

The Thai Broilers Processing Exporters Association said its members would not buy poultry from any farm found to be involved with illegal labour practices. Some of the organisation's members include Cargill, BRF and CPF.

“The joint collaboration through the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding today proves to be the guarantee of our industry standard that we strongly refuse to use child labour and forced labour in respect to Thai labour laws and international labour law.

"To export internationally, each establishment must be strictly monitored and inspected by trading partner countries to ensure ethical practices and strictly follow customer requirments,” said Dr Anan Sirimongkolkasem, President of the Thai Broiler Processing Exporters Association.