After months of uncertainty, the Finnish government has officially introduced stricter regulations for foreign wild berry pickers coming to the country.
To curb the exploitation of foreign workers, Finnish authorities have implemented new rules requiring these workers to apply for a seasonal work permit to enter Finland, as reported by Schengen.News.
Starting February 18, foreign berry pickers must obtain a seasonal work permit, which includes a seasonal work visa, work certificate, or seasonal work residence permit.
Additionally, the new regulations stipulate that a seasonal work permit for berry picking requires an employment contract. This means foreign workers must secure a formal employment contract outlining their working hours and compensation.
The type of permit a foreign worker must obtain depends on the length of their work contract.
Workers coming to Finland for less than three months must apply for a seasonal work visa, provided their country of origin does not have a visa liberalization agreement with Finland. This applies to Thai berry pickers, for example, who are among the most common nationalities working in Finland and who require a Schengen visa to enter.
For workers from visa-free countries who have an employment contract, a seasonal work certificate is required. However, those from visa-free countries without an employment contract are exempt from this requirement.
Foreign nationals planning to work in Finland for more than three months must apply for a seasonal work residence permit, with the permit’s duration tied to the employment contract. For workers intending to stay between six and nine months, an availability assessment will be conducted by the Finnish Immigration Service to determine eligibility.
These new rules aim to reduce human trafficking while also aligning with Finland’s broader national efforts to tighten regulations for foreign nationals seeking residence permits.
The Finnish government has also proposed changes to the Aliens Act that would make it more difficult for foreign nationals to obtain permanent residence permits. This proposal, which introduces tougher work, education, and language requirements, was submitted on January 27 and is open for public comment until March 7.
