Legislative changes improving the status of foreign berry pickers to enter into force in February 2025

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

Going forward, companies must employ foreign berry pickers in a contractual employment relationship to enable them to enter Finland. Accordingly, foreign berry pickers will be required to apply for a seasonal work permit from 17 February 2025.

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.

Improving the status of berry pickers is part of the Government’s Action plan for preventing work-related exploitation. 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. 

The government issued a decree on the change on 6 February 2025.
 
Inquiries:
Ariann Grandell, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 236