Finnish Immigration Service Withholds Permits for Four Wild Berry Sector Employers Over Labour Concerns
The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) has decided to withhold recruitment permits for four employers in the wild berry sector due to identified ambiguities and negligence in their operations. The decision temporarily prohibits these companies from hiring workers from third countries, affecting both work-based residence permits and seasonal work permits (Helsingin Sanomat).
Migri has sent requests to multiple employers to rectify the issues found in their operations, with only one company’s ambiguities considered resolved so far. The agency is also reviewing six additional companies in the sector, with decisions expected in August (Helsingin Sanomat).
"It is important to effectively address the problems that have emerged in the wild berry sector. The decision to withhold permits can prevent the continuation of the identified issues and ensure that those coming to Finland to work do so under pre-agreed fair terms and in fair working conditions," said process specialist Veera Salminen in a Migri press release (Yle).
The move follows broader concerns over labour exploitation in the industry. In July, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs reported rejecting nearly 90% of visa applications from berry pickers—approximately 1,400 out of 1,600 processed seasonal work visas—after indications of worker exploitation risks emerged during processing (Helsingin Sanomat).
The working conditions of berry pickers from third countries have been under scrutiny for years. In June, the Lapland District Court sentenced Jukka Kristo, former CEO of berry industry company Polarica Marjahankinta, to two years and six months in prison for human trafficking (Helsingin Sanomat).