PUBLISHED: 15 Sep 2024 at 05: 18
Last year, Labour Ministry officials visited Thai berry farmers in Sweden and met with them to make sure their workers received fair pay and benefits.
Somchai Morakotsriwan, director-general of the Department of Employment ( DoE ), led the trip with delegations from various agencies, including the National Human Rights Commission and the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, to the town of Munkfors in Sweden.
Mr Somchai said he met representatives of Ransaters Invest AB, a business that buys and processes exotic berries, to discuss several issues regarding Thai workers ‘ security, such as working conditions, wages, taxes, working hours, benefits and talent training.
Mr. Somchai claimed to have also visited employees at their tents to check on their standard of living. He also advised the employees to call the DoE or the Royal Thai Embassy in Stockholm if they need assistance with work-related problems.
” Making sure all employees receive proper rights and benefits, including good working conditions, pay, housing and heath treatment, is crucial”, he added. Cooperating between Thailand and Sweden “helps to improve job efficiency and even fosters trust among Thai workers who work in Sweden.”
Mr. Somcahi claimed the trip was in response to Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakan’s issue for Thai workers who work abroad because they are a pillar of their families and even help to Thailand’s economy.
For the 2024 harvest season, Mr. Phiphat claimed on August 19 that the DoE had just permitted 1, 129 Thai employees to travel to Sweden to operate as berry farmers.
Mr. Phiphat claimed that the Thai and Swedish regulators concur that companies would follow the law and be held accountable for workers ‘ expenses, including passport, visa, work permit fees, meals, and lodging.