Exploitation of foreign berry pickers raises human trafficking concerns in Finland

The exploitation of foreign berry pickers associated with the berry-picking business has emerged as an unusual form of human trafficking in Finland, according to expert Anni Valovirta from the Office of the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman. She highlights that the abuse of berry pickers has taken advantage of structural issues and state-sanctioned practices.

Valovirta notes that the financial risk has primarily fallen on the pickers themselves, as failing to collect enough berries leads to lower earnings, creating economic pressure and dependency on berry companies. The forms of human trafficking in Finland are diverse, including labor exploitation, sexual exploitation related to prostitution, and other degrading conditions like forced marriages.

Police Inspector Måns Enqvist from the Police Board reports that Finland investigates more labor-related human trafficking cases than other EU countries but has fewer sexual trafficking cases. He explains that it is easier to uncover labor exploitation, as these incidents are more frequently reported and identifiable compared to sexual exploitation cases, where the evidence of trafficking can be harder to establish.

There is limited knowledge about traffickers in Finland, emphasizing the need for more research. Often, traffickers may have close or dependent relationships with their victims, complicating recognition and reporting. Victims can include both foreign individuals unfamiliar with Finnish society and Finnish children, with over two-thirds of child trafficking victims identified as Finnish last spring.

Concerns have risen over the exploitation of marginalized groups, such as the homeless or substance abusers, who may not realize they are victims of trafficking. Vulnerability increases among those lacking residency permits in Finland, leading to a heightened risk of exploitation.