The Swedish Migration Agency has granted permits for 950 berry pickers to work in Sweden this year. This marks a sharp increase from last year when only 89 people received permits.
Most of the approved pickers come from Thailand. The agency had previously rejected many applications due to poor conditions in the industry.
Merima Ilijasevic, section chief at the Migration Agency, says several employers have now demonstrated they can provide decent working conditions. Therefore the agency decided to approve the applications.
Following a government decision the berry pickers now fall under the EU Seasonal Directive. They must be employed directly by a Swedish company rather than by Thai staffing firms.
