HELSINKI — A Finnish district court has sentenced the CEO of one of Finland’s largest berry companies to three and a half years in prison for aggravated human trafficking involving dozens of Thai seasonal workers. Vernu Vasunta, CEO of Kiantama, was convicted on 62 counts of exploitation, while Thai national Kalyakorn Phongphit, an associate, received a three-year sentence.

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The court ordered Kiantama to pay over €600,000 (approximately 22.5 million baht) in compensation to the victims, covering unpaid wages and legal costs. The ruling exposed systematic deception and forced labor conditions faced by Thai berry pickers during the 2022 harvest season.

Workers were lured to Finland with false promises of high earnings and adequate living conditions. Instead, they endured exploitative practices, including confiscated passports, pre-arrival debt agreements, and withheld information about their right to sell berries independently. Despite collecting 2,400–4,000 kg of berries per person during the 10-week season, most workers earned only a few hundred euros after excessive deductions for travel, food, and accommodation.

A district court in Finland has sentenced Vernu Vasunta, CEO of berry company Kiantama, to three and a half years in prison for 62 counts of aggravated human trafficking involving dozens of Thai workers, reported Xinhua, quoting national broadcaster Yle.

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The unanimous verdict has intensified scrutiny of Finland’s seasonal labor system, long criticized for enabling the exploitation of migrant workers. In response to years of scandals, Finland introduced reforms in 2024 requiring formal employment contracts and fixed salaries for foreign workers.

Defense lawyers announced plans to appeal the decision. The case follows a 2022 precedent where the Finnish Supreme Court jailed another berry company owner for human trafficking, signaling growing judicial intolerance for labor abuses in the industry.

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Thai authorities are assisting affected workers and reinforcing pre-departure education programs to prevent future trafficking. The verdict underscores the urgent need for transnational cooperation to protect migrant laborers in seasonal industries.

-Thailand News (TN)