This year, Sweden has approved permits for 950 seasonal berry pickers, a substantial increase from the mere 89 approvals granted last year. Most of these workers hail from Thailand, and the surge in numbers is attributed to employers’ improvements in adhering to labor standards. Previously, concerns over working conditions resulted in a significant number of permit rejections.
Swedish authorities have noted that many employers have now shown their capability to offer fair working conditions, which has led to more applications being approved. This shift aligns with changes in government regulations regarding the employment of seasonal workers in the country.
Under the updated rules, berry pickers are no longer issued standard work permits. Instead, they fall under the European Union’s seasonal workers directive, which introduces more stringent requirements aimed at safeguarding worker rights. A significant part of this change is the mandate that workers must be directly employed by Swedish firms, rather than through Thai staffing agencies. This move is designed to improve oversight and enhance protections for the workers.
The increase in permits is expected to support Sweden’s berry industry in meeting its seasonal labor needs, while also ensuring that foreign workers benefit from better employment standards. The adjustments reflect a broader effort to balance labor demand with the welfare of the workers involved.