PUBLISHED: 19 Aug 2024 at 18: 26
The first batch of Thai laborers to work the current Swedish and Finnish berry harvesting season will depart this month, according to the Department of Employment ( DoE ).
According to Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the DoE just authorized 1, 129 Thai workers to work as berry workers in Sweden during the 2024 harvest time.
Mr Phiphat said Thai and Swedish regulators agreed that companies do agree with work conditions and be responsible for the workers ‘ expenses, including passport, card and work force fees, meals, and hospitality.
He added that job contracts must be signed by both employees and their employers.
According to Mr. Phiphat, the Estonian government has agreed to grant Thai employees who will be picking berries residency permits in Finland.
On the situation that their employment contracts be approved, the Finnish government has agreed to let employees who have been hired by Finnish employers travel to the country freely.
The authorities have agreed to end the ban on allowing Thai laborers to travel freely to Finland’s berry fields, according to DoE director-general Somchai Morakotsriwan.
The decision was made at a conference on August 9 at which time representatives from various government departments, including the Department of Consular Affairs, Labor Protection and Welfare, and the National Human Rights Commission, spoke.
Mr. Somchai advised Thais interested in working abroad to consult the DoE’s site or the Overseas Employment Administration Division for more information.