Finland tightens rules for foreign berry pickers

The government on Thursday issued a decree with the provisions for mandatory job contract and residence permit for the foreign berry pickers to arrive in Finland, said the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment in a press release.

The new decree will enter into force from February 17.

Due to the problems encountered in the wild berry sector, foreign berry pickers will enter Finland as seasonal workers from now on, said the ministry, adding that following the change, it will be easier to monitor that the rights of pickers are protected and guarantee them a sufficient level of income.

Companies must employ foreign berry pickers in a contractual employment relationship to enable them to enter Finland and foreign berry pickers will be required to apply for a seasonal work permit.

Foreign pickers previously came to Finland on a Schengen tourist visa, which allowed them to stay and pick berries for a maximum of three months.

However, there have been problems in the wild berry sector related to the working conditions and earnings of foreign pickers, exploitation as well as charges of and sentences for human trafficking.

After outlining in May 2024 that the picking of wild berries is an activity based primarily on seasonal work in an employment relationship, the government began the necessary legislative drafting.

The Government will monitor the effects of the changes and, if necessary, introduce further measures to combat exploitation in the berry sector.

The changes will not affect the right of Finnish people or persons already residing in Finland to pick wild berries and sell them to a party of their choice.

Earlier in October 2024, the government submitted a proposal to the Parliament on amendments to Seasonal Workers Act with the view to tighten criteria for foreign berry pickers to arrive in Finland.