Finnish berry firm allegedly mistreated multiple Thai laborers, according to the court's ruling

In a landmark ruling, the Finnish Supreme Court has sentenced Vernu Vasunta, CEO of berry company Kiantama, to three and a half years in prison for 62 counts of aggravated human trafficking. The court's decision follows a case that has drawn significant public concern in Finland, with Thai berry pickers being misled about their income prospects and living conditions.

Kiantama, one of Finland's largest berry companies, has also been ordered to pay over €600,000 in compensation to the trafficked workers, along with legal and trial costs. The name of the second defendant in the Kiantama berry company human trafficking case is Kalyakorn Phongphit, an associate of Vernu. Kalyakorn has received a three-year sentence for the same charges.

The situation of foreign berry pickers has long been a matter of public concern in Finland. According to reports published by dailyfinland.fi and originally by Xinhua, which were also quoted by national broadcaster Yle, the Thai berry pickers were not informed of their right to sell berries independently. Their passports were often collected by camp supervisors, and many workers had signed debt agreements before arrival, making them dependent on the company.

Once in Finland, the Thai berry pickers faced exploitative arrangements amounting to forced labor. Each worker collected 2,400-4,000kg of berries during a 10-week season, but most earned only a few hundred euros after deductions for travel, food, accommodation, and vehicles. Workers were not informed of their rights, and their living conditions were less than satisfactory.

Reforms were introduced in 2024 requiring foreign workers to receive formal employment contracts and salaries. The verdict has renewed scrutiny of Finland's seasonal labor system and the vulnerability of foreign workers in the berry industry. The defendants' lawyers have stated their intention to appeal.

This ruling is not an isolated incident. In 2022, another berry company owner was sentenced to one year and 10 months in prison by the Finnish Supreme Court in one of the country's first trafficking cases against berry purchasers. However, the ruling did not specify which berry company or individuals were involved, nor did it provide details on the number of workers affected or the exact compensation to be paid.

As the berry season approaches, it is crucial to ensure that the rights and welfare of foreign workers are protected. The Finnish government and berry companies must take steps to prevent such abuses from happening again and to provide justice for the victims.

Finnish berry firm allegedly mistreated multiple Thai laborers, according to the court's ruling