Finnish findings shared at Viikki Sustainability Research Seminar

On 19th December 2024, Chaitawat Boonjubun gave a presentation entitled " Thai berry pickers, seasonal work, and the Finnish sustainable food systems" during the Viikki Sustainability Research Seminar a joint research seminar focused on various sustainability themes organised by the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) and the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS).

Focusing on the consequences of mobility and migration for both humans and non-humans in their destinations, this seminar session delves into how human migrants adapt to new conditions, the challenges they face, and the factors that support their adaptation. Additionally, it explores the ecological and social impacts of invasive animal and plant species, as well as the strategies used to manage them.

Chaitawat's presentation explores the experiences of Thai berry pickers in Finland, who play a crucial role in the country’s wild berry industry. While Finland’s everyman’s rights allow free access to nature, commercial berry picking is physically demanding and often involves long working hours in challenging conditions. Over the past decade, most pickers have been recruited from Thailand, but many face financial hardships due to travel expenses, visas, lodging, and fluctuating berry prices. The discussion also highlights the contributions of Thai berry pickers to Finland’s sustainable food systems and examines issues of potential exploitation within the industry. 

For more information about this, click HERE.