LPN Fundraiser: A Fund to End Forced Labor at Sea

My name is Molly Ryan and I am a former MIIS graduate student fundraising on behalf of the Labour Protection Network (LPN) to raise funds for the work LPN does protecting migrant fishermen and their families in Thailand. I first became involved with LPN after watching Ghost Fleet, a haunting yet hopeful film about the dark side of the fishing industry and the critical work LPN does to fight human rights abuse amongst the most vulnerable communities in Thailand.

To watch Ghost Fleet, please visit: https://tubitv.com/movies/519285/ghost-fleet?start=true&tracking=google-feed&utm_source=google-feed

Thanks to the generous support of the MIIS community, I had the opportunity to travel to Thailand this past summer and see the incredible LPN team at work, visiting remote migrant communities and interviewing former fishermen, community members, recruitment agencies and boat captains alike to understand how LPN can continue to best advocate for those most often forgotten.

Patima Tungpuchayakul, co-Founder of LPN assisting the community in Trang with donations.

This specific fundraiser is to help a small fishing community in the south of Thailand rebuild their lives after 5 men were wrongfully imprisoned and detained for 7 months in Malaysia. The official note from LPN on this case is copied below:

The Labour Protection Network (LPN) has received a report from a local with good intention in the area of Trang province, asking for help to rescue 5 Thai crews who are being held captive in Pinang, Malaysia. The individual reported that the crews were convinced by a broker, persuading them to travel to Malaysia to work in a fishing industry and informed them that all the documentation for work would be taken care of. The crew departed from Thailand on May 28, 2022 with a 6-month contract, the amount of monthly payment undecided, and were told that the employer would handle all of their documentation. However, once the work began, all the necessary documents including their passports and work permits were being kept with the employers the entire time. Later, the crews were captured in Pinang and thrown into prison cells without knowing the actual allegations of their arrestment.

I had the opportunity to meet these fishermen and their families, who are still recovering from the trauma of the experience. They want to rebuild their community and pursue other means of income to escape the abusive conditions they faced as fishermen. The money from this fundraiser will be used to help these former fishermen purchase new boats such as the one pictured above, so they can pursue their dream of transforming their quiet community amongst the mangroves into an ecotourist hotspot.

Former fishermen and their families discussing the impact of their imprisonment in Malaysia.

The remaining funds will be used to cover medical and housing expenses for abused former and current fishermen as well as scholarships for their children to have the opportunity to attend school in the surrounding provinces.

The LPN team visiting a nearby community with medical supplies, clothing and toys for the children. These communities have little to no access to essential services.

Thank you for your time, consideration and support of this important issue. ขอบคุณค่ะ! For more information on LPN, or to donate directly to the organization, please visit their website here: https://www.lpnfoundation.org/