Seasonal wild berry pickers from Thailand who work in Sweden and Finland have asked their Asian government for help to deal with rogue labour brokers.
The workers complain of misleading enticements, contract agreements not being fulfilled, while they are forced to work much longer hours. Labour brokers underpay them and charge huge fees for travel, accommodation etc. This is against Thailand's laws which state that brokers must cover these fees.
Each year between August and October about 10 000 Thai seasonal workers take up the temporary jobs to earn a better income. Unfortunately it is soured by the harsher working conditions and unfulfilled enticements. The Thailand department of labour is looking into the complaints, urged by a union representing the workers.