Berry misleading: Thailand picks apart fake Finland job offers

Thailand is actively pursuing local agents who deceived Thai citizens into believing they had secured berry picker jobs in Finland. This action follows the interception of 43 individuals at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Saturday, July 20, just before they were set to board a flight to the Nordic country.

The Department of Employment initiated the investigation after receiving a tip-off about Thai workers supposedly heading to Finland to work as wild fruit pickers. These workers were scheduled to depart on flight QR837, with a layover at Hamad International Airport in Qatar.

Officials detained 43 people, including seven women, who had reportedly fallen victim to the scam. Somchai Morakotsriwan, Director-General of the Employment Department, confirmed on Sunday that all detainees admitted to their involvement in the scheme.

Somchai stated that the department has directed its offices to scrutinise the backgrounds of those arrested. Most are believed to have been misled by key members of a network into working illegally as wild fruit pickers in Finland, said Somchai.

“The export of workers to Finland as wild fruit pickers is currently suspended. Discussions between the two countries aim to adjust regulations to benefit the workers.”

He added that employers must comply with these new conditions and demonstrate a commitment to resolving human trafficking issues and protecting the rights of Thai workers.

On March 15, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Finland announced the suspension of Schengen visa applications for wild berry pickers from Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar for this summer’s harvest season.

This decision followed a February 2023 announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Finland, which tightened visa application procedures for wild berry pickers.

The visa rules were reassessed after last year’s harvest season amid allegations of serious crimes, including human trafficking, that emerged in the autumn. With human trafficking now affecting hundreds of victims, visa application reviews must take into account the risk of worker exploitation and human trafficking, Somchai noted.

This year, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland has formed a working team to collaborate with researchers from Pellervo Economic Research PTT. Together, they will evaluate the impact of various regulatory options ahead of further policy changes, reported Bangkok Post.