Finnish Prosecutors Seek Imprisonment for Berry Company Leaders Over Human Trafficking Allegations
PUBLISHED : 13 Aug 2024 at 21:43
Finnish prosecutors are pursuing a minimum of five years’ imprisonment for the former CEO of a prominent berry company and his Thai business associate in a significant human trafficking case involving the exploitation of Thai workers. The trial, addressing 77 counts of aggravated human trafficking, commenced in the Lapland District Court on Monday.
Jukka Kristo, the ex-leader of Polarica, and his Thai partner, Kalyakorn Phongpit, have both pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. Prosecutors allege that during the berry harvest season of 2022, the duo forced Thai berry pickers into labor under inhumane conditions, coinciding with the arrival of a record 4,000 workers from Thailand.
Reportedly, the workers faced deplorable living conditions, inadequate accommodation, and meager meals consisting primarily of boiled chicken legs, salmon heads, and raw liver. Investigators revealed that company staff confiscated the workers’ passports and return tickets, instilling fear of retaliation among the workers, preventing them from voicing complaints.
The prosecution highlighted that contracts provided to these workers included penalties for underperforming in berry collection, leading many workers to accumulate debts despite their extended labor.
In addition to imposing a prison sentence, prosecutors are also calling for the seizure of nearly one million euros in illicit earnings connected to the accused parties.
Meanwhile, a senior civil servant in Finland is set to face trial for accepting bribes and failing to fulfill official duties, allegedly having ignored complaints from Thai workers since early 2020 while allowing the continued recruitment of more workers from Thailand.
Ongoing Investigation in Thailand
Simultaneously, Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation is actively collecting evidence against multiple high-ranking officials and former ministers accused of demanding 36 million baht from a job broker in exchange for approving Thai workers’ deployment to Finland.
Due to concerns over the treatment of Thai workers, Thailand temporarily halted the dispatch of workers to Finland pending negotiations with Finnish authorities. However, a recent agreement allows for the recruitment of 900 Thai laborers for the upcoming berry harvesting season.
Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has announced plans to visit Finland next month to monitor the situation of the dispatched workers, emphasizing the necessity of ensuring their welfare and security.
