Finland will from 17 February 2025 start to enforce new rules concerning foreign berry pickers. According to the new rules, foreign berry pickers must be employed under a contractual employment relationship and obtain a seasonal work permit before entering Finland. The primary goal of these changes is to enhance the protection of pickers’ rights and ensure they receive a sufficient level of income.
Previously, many foreign pickers, particularly from Thailand and Vietnam, entered Finland on Schengen tourist visas, allowing them to stay and pick berries for up to three months. However, concerns have been raised regarding their working conditions, earnings, and instances of exploitation, including charges of human trafficking. In response, the Finnish government outlined in May 2024 that wild berry picking should be recognized as seasonal work within an employment relationship, leading to the recent legislative amendments.
These changes are part of the government’s broader action plan to prevent work-related exploitation. The authorities will monitor the effects of the new regulations and, if necessary, introduce further measures to combat exploitation in the berry sector. It’s important to note that these changes will not affect the rights of Finnish residents to pick wild berries and sell them as they choose.
Source: Yle.fi
