On 12 October 2023, H.E. Miss Chavanart Thangsumphant, Ambassador of Thailand to Finland, together with Embassy officials, had a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Arto Satonen, Minister of Employment of Finland. Ms. Sonja Hämäläinen, Migration Director, Ms. Veera Svahn, Special Advisor to the Minister, Ms. Ariann Grandell, Specialist, and Ms. Jenni Heikka, Leading Specialist, accompanied the Minister.

Both parties discussed ways to promote collaboration on skilled labour recruitment from Thailand in accordance with the Talent Boost programme coordinated by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and the Ministry of Education and Culture. Particular interest was on those who can fulfill the Finnish labour shortage especially in the elderly care and other healthcare sectors. Additionally, partnerships between Thai and Finnish companies could be established to exchange internships and training, especially in tourism, hotel, and service sectors. The Thai Ambassador opined that if the Finnish proficiency test requirements can be replaced by English proficiency testing, Finland will attract more Thai skilled workers to enter into the Finnish labour market.

Furthermore, both sides also discussed measures to prevent human trafficking which persistently and perpetually happen to Thai laborers who come to Finland to pick berries. The Thai Ambassador requested for information of the development on the inclusion of wild berry pickers in the Seasonal Work Act (907/2017), so that they could get a legal status as employee and consequently terminate the “Berry Act” (Act on the Legal Status of Foreigners Picking Natural Products, 487/2021), currently in force, as it has been proven to be ineffective in combatting the exploitation and abuse of Thai laborers. In this connection, the Minister of Employment deemed it necessary to wait for the outcome of human trafficking investigations in this matter for further study and probe into more details for the utmost benefits of both Thailand and Finland. The Ambassador then asked for (1) statistical information on the net income of each Finnish berry company in order to ensure these companies have enough to pay for the expected earnings Thai laborers have in mind, and (2) report on the Reliability of each natural product gathering operator as mentioned in Section 5 of the “Berry Act”, in order to transmit it to the Ministry and concerned agencies for its consideration.

This year, there were approximately 2,000 Thai laborers who came to pick up wild berries in Finland, and they still faced with labour exploitation and abuses. Some cases are currently under investigation for human trafficking. As recorded in 2022, there were 121 Thai victims of human trafficking in Finland."

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