Dozens of Thai workers have attempted to abscond to Finland to collect wild berries even though the Thai government has suspended the Thai berry pickers quota due to claims of human trafficking.

Somchai Morakotsriwan, Director-General of the Department of Employment, revealed that the Department was informed by an anonymous source that Thai workers were trying to go to Finland to collect berries, leaving by Qatar Airways flight QR837 from Bangkok to Doha, according to Isranews.

The Central Employment Registration and Workers Protection Division and the Immigration Office later verified that 44 Thai workers, 37 men and 7 women, were absconding to Finland. They admitted that they were trying to get jobs as berry pickers in Finland without permission from the Department according to the law. The Department, therefore, suspended the workers’ journey.

Somchai also ordered the Provincial Employment Office to investigate the issue and prosecute those behind the illegal recruitment. He also insisted that Thailand currently has suspended the sending of Thai workers to pick wild berries in Finland, requesting Thai workers, for their own benefit and safety, not to leave the country.

He said Thailand is in the process of negotiating with Finland in order to adjust the laws and regulations, which will be beneficial for those who will travel to the country to be berry pickers, and ensure that employers abide by the regulations.

Since 2006, Finland and Sweden have turned to Thai labour recruitment agencies to hire Thai workers to pick berries for them. Each year, thousands of Thai farmers are employed by approximately 13 companies in these countries. Many returned home empty-handed.  Some are burdened with debt.  Despite fighting for years, many have yet to obtain justice. Many workers have filed lawsuits with the court, requesting prosecutions for human trafficking.

Due to the complaints of human trafficking, the governments on both sides last year started an investigation and suspended visas for Thai workers who intend to travel to pick berries in these countries until an agreement is reached.