Thailand is actively searching for local agents who have been misleading Thai citizens into believing they have secured jobs as berry pickers in Finland. This action follows the interception of 43 individuals at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Saturday 20 July, just before they were due to board a flight to the Scandinavian country.

The Department of Employment launched the investigation after receiving a tip-off about Thai workers who were going to Finland to work as wild fruit pickers. These workers were due to depart on flight QR837, with a stopover at Hamad International Airport in Qatar.

Officials arrested 43 people, including seven women, who were allegedly victims of the scam. Somchai Morakotsriwan, director-general of the Employment Department, confirmed on Sunday that all detainees had admitted their involvement in the scheme.

Somchai said the department has instructed its offices to investigate the backgrounds of those arrested. Most were allegedly tricked by key members of a network into working illegally as wild fruit pickers in Finland, Somchai said.

“The export of workers to Finland as wild fruit pickers is currently suspended. Discussions between the two countries are aimed at changing the regulations in favor of the workers.”

He added that employers must adhere to these new conditions and work to resolve human trafficking issues and protect the rights of Thai workers.

On March 15, the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Schengen visa applications for wild berry pickers from Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar will be suspended for this summer’s harvest season.

This decision followed an announcement by the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in February 2023 tightening visa application procedures for wild berry pickers.

Visa rules were re-evaluated after last year’s harvest season amid allegations of serious crimes, including human trafficking, that emerged in the fall. With human trafficking affecting hundreds of victims, visa application reviews should take into account the risk of worker exploitation and human trafficking, Somchai noted.

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

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