Thailand Sends 900 Workers to Finland for Berry Picking

[webfact]

 

In a significant move, Thailand's Minister of Labour, Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, announced a new initiative to send 900 Thai workers to Finland for berry picking. In a recent video conference with Finland's Minister of Employment, Arto Satonen, both officials finalised the details of this arrangement, promising to ensure the welfare and rights of the workers.

 

The conference primarily focused on ensuring the safety and fair treatment of the Thai berry pickers. Pipat expressed his gratitude toward Finland for its willingness to collaborate and confirmed that all employment contracts had been meticulously vetted by the Finnish government.

 

"If Finland needs more workers, they should inform the Ministry of Labour promptly," Pipat advised. He assured that the Ministry is ready to deploy the workers as soon as all conditions and agreements are fully met. He also plans a visit to Finland to check in on the workers around September.

 

Finnish authorities committed to a rigorous process to safeguard the workers' interests, with Satonen explaining that from next year, Finnish immigration will thoroughly scrutinise employment contracts before issuing residence visas and work permits. This change marks a departure from previous years when workers often entered on tourist visas.

 

"The workers must have valid employment contracts, work eight hours daily, and receive wages as per the Finnish government’s standards," Satonen stated. He appreciated the Thai officials for facilitating the discussion and hoped the arrangements would allow Thai workers to commence berry picking promptly, given the high demand for labour.

 

This collaboration aims to encourage more Thai workers to undertake such overseas employment, with the assurance of fair treatment and appropriate compensation.

 

Pipat also requested Finland to send the necessary documents to the Thai Embassy in Helsinki for prompt verification, ensuring timely dispatch of the workers to match Finland’s berry harvesting season. Both ministers underscored the importance of this initiative in strengthening bilateral labour cooperation and improving worker welfare.

 

Picking natural blackberries in Finland. Picture courtesy: Wikimedia

 

-- 2024-08-01

 

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[2008bangkok]

The article makes it sound like the workers are slaves, so weird.

[fondue zoo]

I wonder what the kickback is for placement.

[ronster]

900 Finnish workers are due to start picking durian next month in Thailand 😀👍

[hotchilli]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

He also plans a visit to Finland to check in on the workers around September.

And do some sightseeing.

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, fondue zoo said:

I wonder what the kickback is for placement.

I'm sure the 900 have had to pay through the nose to grease the wheels of business.

[xtrnuno41]

8 hours ago, 2008bangkok said:

The article makes it sound like the workers are slaves, so weird.

Yes, they are. I hope they finally are treated better.

I ve seen a docu on Thai pickers in Finnland and it was terrible.

I really wondered why they would go there, as I sure wouldnt, probably all fake news to make a living. 

[jvs]

I know some one who did this.

According to her it was hard work but the pay was good and she found herself a good husband.

She is happy and is in Finland now.

[rickudon]

photo of blueberries is captioned as blackberries, sloppy work.