On February 14, 2019, at 10.30 hours, Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mr. Jarin Chakkaphark chaired the commencement of the meeting on ways to proceed about traveling to collect wild fruits in Finland in 2019, at the Tien Achakul conference room, 10th Floor, Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour. He said that the meeting was to discuss and listen to comments/suggestions on how to set up guidelines for the operation of Thai workers traveling to collect wild fruit, as it is well known that Thai workers go to Finland to gather wild fruits during the seasons by notifying travel to work abroad on their own. Thai law has the Employment and Jobseekers’ Protection Act B.E. 2528 to protect Thai workers because Thai workers traveling to collect wild fruit abroad is considered working abroad, as the workers are compensated. The Ministry of Labour, therefore, sees that all Thai workers going to work overseas should be protected according to the laws of the destination country throughout work in that country.
The Finnish authorities recognize the importance of Thai workers entering for forest fruit collection in Finland and therefore proposed to change the structure of the law on bringing foreigners in to collect wild fruits. The Thai Ministry of Labour has recommended to the Finnish authorities to consider the same type of operations as Thai workers in Sweden, which protects foreign workers who collect wild fruits according to employment contracts, with a monthly minimum income guarantee for Thai workers.
For forest fruit buying companies, the ministry asked to help take care of Thai workers, including the provision of welfare for food, accommodation, safety, and well-being according to international standards, and to follow the letter of Intent signed with the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He said that Thai coordinators must educate Thai workers about local laws, various prohibitions and guide experienced workers with expertise as mentors to teach the new workers, organize a good team leader to guide and train Thai workers to be ready for work, and help solve problems that occur among Thai workers.
The result of this meeting will benefit all parties and ensure that Thai workers are protected and able to travel to work abroad with dignity following the Ministry of Labour’s policy. Companies that purchase wild fruits will have quality Thai workers capable of performing efficiently at full capacity, which will impact the overall economies of both Finland and Thailand.
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Division of Public Relations/14 February 2019
