Finnish findings presented at the Symposium on Precarities and Temporalities in Migratory Contexts

The Symposium on Precarities and Temporalities in Migratory Contexts took place from 26 to 27 of August 2025 and was held at the University of Helsinki. The two-day academic event brought together scholars from across Europe and beyond to explore how temporal structures and conditions of precarity shape migrants’ lives and experiences in diverse socio-legal contexts. 

AspirE was represented by Minna Seikkula, based at Tampere University. With her colleague Andre Iosse, they presented A Nordic tragedy of commons: Parallel patterns to differential inclusion and labour exploitation of temporary migrant labour in production of wild berries across Finland and Sweden. Their contribution examined the seasonal berry industry, which relies on temporary Thai workers across both Finland and Sweden.

Despite different legal frameworks, their research shows how both countries produce similar outcomes: a precarious labour force that fuels the global berry market. The presentation highlighted recent regulatory changes, media attention on exploitation, and the complex socio-legal realities faced by migrant workers in Nordic berry harvesting, sparking discussion on migration, labour law, and cross-border labour governance.

More information about this event is available HERE. The detailed programme and abstracts can be doiwnloaded below.