Berry big deal: over 1,000 Thai pickers to jam in Sweden, Finland

Thai workers are set for Sweden and Finland as the new berry-picking season kicks off. In a major move, the Department of Employment has given the green light to a whopping 1,129 Thai workers to pack their bags and head to the Nordic lands.

Labour Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakan broke the news, revealing that the first wave of over 1,000 Thai workers will soon be heading to Sweden, following a crucial video chat with Finland’s Economic Affairs and Employment Minister Arto Satonen on July 30. Finland has rolled out the red carpet with approved Residence Permit visas and travel plans for these eager workers.

But it’s not all plain sailing. If you’re heading to Finland, don’t forget – you’ll need that Residence Permit visa and a job with a foreign employer. For Sweden, the deal’s a bit different: employers have to cough up for all the necessary expenses, while workers only need to cover their costs like passports, visas, work permits, meals, and accommodation.

In Sweden, employers are on the hook for these essentials and must sign an employment contract. Thai workers will need to get a visa from the Swedish Immigration Department to snag that coveted work permit. Out of the 1,129 approved workers, 1,081 are set to pick berries, while 48 will be on support staff duties.

In Finland, the Finnish authorities have approved the Residence Permit visas for Thai workers for the 2024 berry-picking season, shifting from tourist visas to Residence Permit visas. The workers must have a foreign employer and the employment contract must be certified by the Royal Thai Embassy in Helsinki. Workers will handle their travel arrangements to work abroad.

Somchai Morakotsriwan, Director-General of the DOE, stated that the department held a meeting on August 9 with representatives from the Department of Consular Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Welfare and Labour Protection, the National Human Rights Commission, and other relevant officials.

Employment contracts

The meeting agreed to lift the suspension on sending Thai workers to Finland for berry-picking in 2024, allowing workers to travel abroad independently according to Section 48. The employment contracts must be certified by the Royal Thai Embassy in Helsinki.

For those interested in working abroad, it is advisable to research the destination country to avoid scams. Information is available through the DOE’s e-Service system on their website, doe.go.th, or the Office of Overseas Employment Administration at doe.go.th/overseas.

Provincial employment offices and Bangkok employment offices (areas 1-10) can also assist. For more information, the Ministry of Labour’s hotline is available at 1506, press 2 for the DOE, or the DOE hotline at 1694.

The initiative ensures that Thai workers have opportunities to work abroad in Sweden and Finland, providing economic benefits and employment opportunities. The clear stipulations and support from both countries’ authorities aim to facilitate a smooth process for Thai workers seeking seasonal employment.