Swedish authorities have ordered a group of Thai berry pickers to leave the country after inspecting their accommodation in Ragunda municipality in northern Sweden.
The inspection was carried out after the municipality received an anonymous tip about a large number of people living in a small residential space. Municipal officials subsequently contacted the police and a regional coordinator working against human trafficking.
According to Swedish broadcaster SVT, the police concluded that the Thai workers did not have the permits required to work in Sweden. Swedish police are now investigating whether the case may involve human trafficking.
“We observed a number of irregularities at the site,” August Knutsson, head of the local police in Jämtland, told Swedish Radio P4 Jämtland.
He added that it was still too early to say whether the investigation would lead to charges.
The regional anti-trafficking coordinator, Jonna Ålander, met some of the workers to inform them about their rights and the assistance available to them. She described their accommodation as seriously inadequate but declined to disclose what emerged during the conversations.
Swedish Radio reports that one person was taken into custody in connection with the authorities’ intervention. The person is not currently suspected of a crime.
The case comes amid continued scrutiny of working and living conditions for Thai berry pickers in Sweden. New Swedish regulations introduced on 1 June 2026 prevent forest berry pickers from obtaining ordinary work permits, although those employed by companies established in Sweden may still apply for seasonal work permits.
No company or suspected organiser has been publicly identified in connection with the Ragunda case.
Source: SVT Nyheter and Sveriges Radio
