LPN is a nonprofit dedicated to help Thai and migrant workers
WE NEED YOUR HELP
Photography courtesy of © Sittichai Jittatad/LPN
Our SOS campaign helps trafficked workers reclaim their lives
Every year, Thailand's $7 billion seafood industry uses human traffickers to enslave up to 60,000 sea workers each year. More than a third of migrant fishermen in Thailand are victims of trafficking and forced labor. They are put to work illegally on boats for months and years before setting foot on land again. Many are beaten, starved, drugged, imprisoned, maimed, and murdered.
We are still receiving distress calls
Hundreds of workers from Thailand and neighboring countries are stranded in remote parts of Indonesia. Others have been rescued and returned home but are unable to receive wages due or compensation. As immigrants without proper documentation, many have no rights, no voice, and no hope for change.
"My goal is to live to help others."
Ms. Patima Tungpuchayakul has emerged as the key leader towards ending slavery at sea in South-East Asia. After surviving her own bout with cancer at age 22, she became an activist and has dedicated her life to helping others. Over two decades, Patima has helped create awareness of rights breaches and is deeply involved with the concerted effort to provide adequate protection for all migrant workers throughout the 10 nations that make up the region.
In 2004, she co-founded the Labour Rights Promotion Network (LPN) along with her husband Sompong Srakaew. As manager, they have assisted over 6,000 Thai and migrant workers to date. Respected for her courage and determination, Patima's work proved of critical importance when LPN rescued nearly 2,000 captive and stranded fishermen from isolated Indonesian islands in 2014. The Associated Press supported the rescue and won a Pulitzer Prize for its innovative coverage. Patima remains a dedicated innovator focused on the reform work that still needs to be done on both land and sea.
2018 Jairo Mora Sandoval Award The Society for Conservation Biology
2018 Seafood Champion SeaWeb A Project of the Ocean Foundation
2017 Nominee Nobel Peace Prize
2016 Pulitzer Prize feature on her work Seafood from Slaves (AP)
2016 Honorable Mention Human Rights Watch Asia
"My goal is to live to help others."
Ms. Patima Tungpuchayakul has emerged as the key leader towards ending slavery at sea in South-East Asia. After surviving her own bout with cancer at age 22, she became an activist and has dedicated her life to helping others. Over two decades, Patima has helped create awareness of rights breaches and is deeply involved with the concerted effort to provide adequate protection for all migrant workers throughout the 10 nations that make up the region.
In 2004, she co-founded the Labour Rights Promotion Network (LPN) along with her husband Sompong Srakaew. As manager, they have assisted over 6,000 Thai and migrant workers to date. Respected for her courage and determination, Patima's work proved of critical importance when LPN rescued nearly 2,000 captive and stranded fishermen from isolated Indonesian islands in 2014. The Associated Press supported the rescue and won a Pulitzer Prize for its innovative coverage. Patima remains a dedicated innovator focused on the reform work that still needs to be done on both land and sea.
2018 Jairo Mora Sandoval Award The Society for Conservation Biology
2018 Seafood Champion SeaWeb A Project of the Ocean Foundation
2017 Nominee Nobel Peace Prize
2016 Pulitzer Prize feature on her work Seafood from Slaves (AP)
2016 Honorable Mention Human Rights Watch Asia
"I worry about men suffering like I used to."
Tun Lin was an enslaved sea worker for over 10 years. When he was just a teenager, Tun was kidnapped and forced to fish without pay as far away as the coast of Somalia. Often working twenty hour days, he lost four fingers on one hand in an accident at sea. He was finally able to jump ship and escape on Ambon Island, Indonesia. With no money or passport and no ability to return home, he married a local woman and had a child. He was found and rescued by Patima in 2014. With her and LPN's assistance, he was able to return home to Myanmar and eventually receive compensation for his injuries from the company that had enslaved him. With the money he built his mother a house.
Inspired by the help he received, he now works alongside Patima at LPN. He lends his talents as a translator, speaking four languages, and helps mitigate legal and migration issues as fishermen readjust to life in Thailand. Tun has gained a reputation as a leader in the movement to end slavery at sea.
LPN has helped over 6,000 Thai and migrant workers
The Labour Rights Promotion Network Foundation (LPN) is committed to protecting and improving the lives of migrant workers with legal aid, temporary shelter, and safe repatriation in Thailand. We strive to advocate for equality, both in the workplace and the community, and aim to assist migrants and their families integrate peacefully into Thai society. Established in 2004 and registered as a Thai foundation in 2008, LPN operates on a not-for-profit basis with financial assistance from public donations.
Our Continuing Goals
Educate migrants, workers, and fishermen on their rights in Thailand.
Raise awareness of victims' rights from forced labor and human trafficking.
Respond to labor complaints and provide the remedies and preliminary treatments for sufferers and victims of trafficking in fishing vessels.
Raise awareness and education on the issues of labor and human trafficking in Thailand.
Educate migrants, workers, and fishermen on their rights in Thailand.
Raise awareness of victims' rights from forced labor and human trafficking.
Respond to labor complaints and provide the remedies and preliminary treatments for sufferers and victims of trafficking in fishing vessels.
Raise awareness and education on the issues of labor and human trafficking in Thailand.
Provide a training and rehab center to protect migrant crews and migrant workers.
Support and assist children experiencing abuse and exploitation.
Work with the Thai and Migrant Fishers Union Group (TMFG) to gain equal rights, wages, legal services, and protection in Thailand and overseas.
Help workers who have been enslaved on fishing vessels to reintegrate with their families and society.
Help workers who suffered from vocational accidents or cannot return to work due to pending legal issues.
Those We Assist
100 fishermen a year
Every year we help 100 Thai, Burmese, Cambodian, and Laotian nationals find a life after slavery.
600 migrant workers a year
We provide direct service to 600 migrant workers per year.
500 trainees and volunteers a year
We train 500 migrant workers on labor rights and safe working conditions.
500k - 600k reached online
We reach 500,000-600,000 migrants through our outreach in online media, Facebook, Line, and Myanmar Live magazine.
We can do more with your help
The campaign to "Save Our Sons" is a call to end slavery at sea. We deeply appreciate your support. 100% of your donations will go to the SOS Fund. Administrative fees have been covered by a generous donor.
Credit Card
You may use your credit card at SOS our fund at CAF America.
As a US 501(c)(3) public charity, gifts to CAF America (EIN #43-1634280) are tax deductible.The SOS Fund at CAF America makes grants to initiatives that are working to educate migrants, respond to labor complaints, and assist children who have suffered from labor abuse.
Text
You may also donate by text. Simply text 'SOS' to '20222'.
Donating by text will automatically give $10. Payment will be made through your mobile phone carrier (see terms and conditions).
Larger Donations
For donations over $5,000, please contact iliana@cafamerica.org and mention 'SOS'.
Our Grants Officer at CAF America, Iliana Lang, will assist you. As a US 501(c)(3) public charity, gifts to CAF America (EIN #43-1634280) are tax deductible.
