Foreign berry pickers must now enter Finland as seasonal workers due to ongoing issues in the wild berry sector.

According to a statement from the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, this change aims to protect workers' rights and ensure they receive fair wages.

Going forward, Finnish companies must employ foreign berry pickers under formal contracts for them to enter the country. As a result, pickers will need to apply for a seasonal work permit starting February 17, 2025.

Finland Tightens Rules to Prevent Exploitation of Berry Pickers

Previously, foreign berry pickers could enter Finland with a short-term Schengen visa, typically issued for tourism. However, reports of exploitation, poor working conditions, low wages, and human trafficking prompted authorities to intervene.

Last year, Finland suspended visas for Thai berry pickers over human trafficking concerns. The suspension applies to applicants from Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar—countries under the jurisdiction of the Finnish Embassy in Bangkok. As a result, wild berry pickers from these regions will not receive Schengen visas for the summer 2024 harvest.

900 Residence Permits Issued to Thai Berry Pickers in 2024

Despite the visa suspension, Finland granted 900 residence permits to Thai berry pickers, with the first group arriving in the Kainuu region in mid-2024.

However, Thai workers had previously delayed their arrival while negotiating conditions with Finnish authorities.

“This is a complete mystery. We believed Thai pickers wouldn’t come, as Thailand has been strict about preventing their departure,” said Detective Inspector Nina Similä from the Oulu Police Department.

According to SchengenVisaInfo, Thai citizens submitted 7,657 Schengen visa applications to Finland in 2023. Overall, Thailand ranked ninth among visa applicant countries, with 270,504 total applications.