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 said he likewise visited camp workers to assess how they were living. He also explained to the employees that if they need assistance with work-related problems, they may call the DoE or the Royal Thai Embassy in Stockholm.
” 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 that the trip was in response to Phiphat Ratchakitprakan’s concern for Thai workers who work abroad because they are essential to the lives of their families and even lead to Thailand’s economy.
For the 2024 harvest time, according to Mr. Phiphat, the DoE recently approved 1, 129 Thai employees ‘ go to Sweden to operate as berry workers.
Mr. Phiphat claimed that Swedish and Thai authorities concur that companies must follow employment guidelines and bear the costs of workers ‘ travel, meals, and lodging, as well as immigration and work permit costs.