Thailand to send 900 workers to Finland for berry picking

Thailand’s Minister of Labour discussed with Finland’s Minister of Employment plans to send 900 Thai workers to pick wild berries. The safety, welfare, and benefits of the workers are guaranteed, with strict visa and work permit checks in place.

Minister of Labour Pipat Ratchakitprakarn engaged in a video conference with Finland’s Minister of Employment Arto Satonen and his team. The primary agenda was the arrangement of sending Thai workers to Finland for berry picking.

Pipat expressed gratitude to the Finnish minister for showing interest in collaborating on this matter, confirming that employment contracts for 900 workers had been finalised and vetted by the government of Finland.

Pipat further mentioned that if Finland requires additional Thai workers beyond the agreed number, they should notify the Ministry of Labour. He appreciated Finland’s trust in Thai workers and revealed his plans to visit them in Finland around September.

He assured that the Ministry of Labour is prepared to dispatch Thai workers to Finland as soon as the necessary conditions and agreements discussed are met. He requested that Finland send the required documents to the Thai Embassy in Helsinki for verification, enabling the timely dispatch of workers to coincide with Finland’s berry harvesting season.

“This discussion marks a significant opportunity for both countries to ensure that the Thai workers sent to Finland for berry picking will receive safety, welfare, benefits, and rights.”

Pipat believes this collaboration will encourage more Thai workers to take up such employment in the future.

Satonen expressed his gratitude to Pipat and his team for facilitating this discussion. The Finnish minister hoped that the arrangements made would allow Thai workers to start berry picking in Finland promptly due to the high demand for labour.

Satonen highlighted that the Finnish government has revised conditions for employment visas. Unlike in previous years when workers entered on tourist visas, from next year, the Finnish government will strictly scrutinise employment contracts before issuing resident visas and work permits.

“The workers must have valid employment contracts, work eight hours daily, and receive wages as per the Finnish government’s standards.”

Finnish immigration authorities will closely monitor the process to protect the workers, reported KhaoSod.