Nordic News, Business and Life in Asia
Finland’s forests may soon be overflowing with berries that nobody can pick. Delays in visa processing for thousands of Thai seasonal workers are now threatening this year’s berry harvest in …
Thai workers face visa delays ahead of Finland berry season Read More
Finland has required foreign wild-berry pickers to hold a seasonal work visa since 2025. The rules fall under the Seasonal Workers Act. For the 2026 season, Finland’s Ministry for Foreign …
Finland to tighten visa checks for berry pickers ahead of 2026 season Read More
New developments in the Finnish berry-picker case as Finnish police have completed a preliminary investigation into suspected bribery involving berry picking businesses and Thai authorities. The case is now being …
Finnish berry firms suspected of bribery linked to Thai labour officials Read More
Finnish researcher Minna Seikkula has raised new concerns about the exploitation of Thai berry pickers in Finland after meeting former workers in Chaiyaphum province, Thailand, in June 2025. The workers, …
Finnish researcher highlights labour exploitation of Thai berry pickers Read More
The Embassy of Finland in Bangkok has published an informational video in Thai aimed at individuals interested in traveling to Finland for seasonal work, including wild berry picking. The video …
Finland shares video guide for Thai seasonal berry pickers and workers Read More 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 …
Finland stops berry pickers from arriving as tourists Read More
On 29 January 2025, Thai and Finnish officials met to strengthen labor protections and diplomatic cooperation. Mrs. Krongkanit Rakcharoen, Director-General of Thailand’s Department of European Affairs, welcomed Mr. Jussi Tanner, …
Thailand and Finland discuss labor protection and visa exemptions Read More
Thai authorities are suspected of demanding bribes from Finnish berry-picking companies between 2020 and 2023. According to an investigation by Finnish police, Thailand’s Department of Employment (DOE) allegedly charged a …
Finnish authorities suspect Thai officials involved in bribery scandal Read More
A criminal trial concerning aggravated human trafficking in berry picking resumed in Lapland District Court on Tuesday. The case involves leaders of a berry-picking company accused of exploiting workers. One …
Berry picker testifies as human trafficking trial resumes in Lapland Read More The trial of Vernu Vasunta, CEO of the Finnish berry company Kiantama, and his Thai business partner, Kalyakorn “Durian” Phongpit, commenced in Lapland District Court on Tuesday. The pair stands …
Finnish berry execs on trial for human trafficking, court expects 6-month proceedings Read More