A new legislative change to the berry-pickers' visas came into force on 17 February 2025. Under this law, pickers will arrive in Finland as seasonal workers with employment-related visas instead of tourist visas or work permits.

Polarica welcomes the new regulation as it sets clear principles and operating models that guide everyone in the berry sector. Not only does this new legislation make it simpler to recruit the workers needed for berry harvesting, but it will also ensure a more coordinated approach across the industry. Furthermore, it will reduce fees and shorten processing times to just 15 days.

Yet, while this is a major step forward, the unchanged berry law and its wider implications for the Nordic berry industry remains a concern.

Implications for Polarica’s Operations in Finland and Sweden

In Finland, this means that despite the improvements in administrative processes, we continue to face unsolved practical issues. There is also the question of whether it might be possible to adjust social costs, given that Thai workers are unlikely to benefit from pensions paid in Finland.

Moreover, since the berry pickers were already employed by a Finnish company in the 2024 season, there is little procedural change. Similarly, costs associated with the workers’ social benefits and local transportation have already been borne by the employer. Overall, while Labour Union Agreement itself is clear, concerns remain regarding the interpretation of some practical matters related to it.

In Sweden, starting from the 2025 season, berry pickers will be employed directly by Swedish companies instead of working under Thai manpower companies as in previous years. The responsibility for berry picking will be transferred to the trade union Livs as of March 1, 2025. Thus, an employment contract must be ready before the worker can apply for a visa. However, the shift to direct employment is expected to result in higher costs for the employer.

Still, we hope for better communication between Thai authorities and those in both Finland and Sweden. It will ensure that the pickers can arrive on time and work the full season.

Welfare of Our Workers is a Priority

Through these developments, we are doing our best to ensure the welfare of all our workers – whether workers under our direct employment or those in the value chain.

Our participation in the 2024 Fair Trade pilot underscores this commitment – even though the stringent 100% EPP (Employer Pays Principle) requirement was ultimately unfeasible due to cost implications for clients. It was also refreshing to learn that our operations are already well aligned with most of the other Fair Trade policies.

Moreover, we continue to support our workforce by subsidizing a portion of the berry pickers’ travel expenses, an approach already in use in Sweden since 2023 and in Finland since 2024.

Meantime, we are actively engaging with regulatory authorities and industry partners to seek further adjustments that will support fair and sustainable labour practices. We will share more information about our practices during the year and in our Sustainability Report that will be published in summer.