Finland has approved 900 residence permits for Thai nationals to work as berry pickers during the 2024 harvest season. This decision comes as part of Finland's effort to address labor shortages in the berry-picking industry.
Out of 1,200 applications received from Thai workers, 400 were denied due to non-compliance with application requirements. Despite the large number of permits granted, the Thai government has imposed additional conditions on the issuance of these permits. In response to concerns over potential exploitation, the Thai government has mandated that its citizens must obtain an exit permit before traveling to Finland. Additionally, it has required Finnish authorities to ensure fair treatment of Thai workers and to review the employment contracts of those granted residence permits.
These measures follow reports of mistreatment and exploitation of Thai seasonal workers by Finnish berry-picking companies, highlighting ongoing issues in the sector.