Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL (CP Foods) and six of its partners organized a workshop to brainstorm for plans and set goals in the second phase of the Fishermen Life Enhancement Center project (2021-2025).

Representatives of partner organizations also visited the center's operations to update on the progress of the sustainability fishery project. At the same time, CP Foods’ staffs, led by Wuthichai Sithipreedanant, senior vice president for Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development at CP Foods, have donated “CP facemask” to the frontline staffs at the Songkhla Fishing Pier.

Ms. Nattaya Petcharat, FLEC’s committee, said, FLEC has played a crucial role in improving the quality of life of fishermen and their families in Songkhla Province. The center has helped to reduce labor exploitation. Moreover, FLEC has become a platform where the fishermen can receive advice in multiple topics such as work, health, and daily life.

The center has extended a helping hand to fishermen’s family. It provides more educational opportunities to their children; this included the migrant group, giving them a better future.

Amid the outbreak of COVID-19, FLEC has helped Thai and migrant workers as well as their families to gain access to health care service and vaccines. Ms. Nattaya added that FLEC has encouraged the fishermen to start organic vegetable farming, enabling them to have enough and safe food supplies during the crisis.

Chief of Songkhla Fishing Port, Chanchai Chotchutip, thanked CP Foods for aiding workers in the fishery sector in Songkhla Province. The collaboration between seven parties has make a significant impact in the prevention of human trafficking and improve the quality of life of people in the seafood supply chain.

“The FLEC Center has formed a strong bond with the migrant community. It has become a place that they can rely on when seeking helps or opportunities,” he said, adding that the second phase will emphasize on food security and the management of marine waste problems.

FLEC is a joint human rights project found by five organizations, including the Fish Marketing Organization; Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives; Department of Labour Protection and Welfare; Family Planning Association of Thailand; Stella Maris Centre Songkhla and Charoen Pokphand Foods (CP Foods). In Phase 2, the project is joined by Thai Start-up GEPP, an expert in waste data management, and PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited or GC. At this phase, FLEC will focus on eliminating the problem of marine and coastal waste by sharing knowledge on waste management information to the community and develop innovation to build value added products for recycled material. The effort aims at improving the livelihoods of fishermen and their families, reducing inequality in the society.