Last year, several cases of suspected human trafficking were reported after the berry season. 250 Thais also wrote a letter to the Swedish government about the miserable conditions they lived under.
In order for it not to be like last summer, the police in the North region have started a new operation.
– The coordination assignment that we have been given here in the North region is that we are to work on this throughout the year. To have a dialogue with the actors who own the properties and exercise more supervision, says Lars Westermark, local police chief in Skellefteå.
“People exploited at various levels”
This year, the Swedish Migration Agency is also deepening its controls on companies, both Swedish and Thai. In recent years, several government investigations have criticized the Swedish efforts against labor exploitation. And the government has said the industry needs to be more tightly regulated.
– I think that the entire industry, from berry pickers to the end consumer, must increase their awareness. Make demands on each other, is it “fair play” all the way or are people exploited at various levels, says Lars Westermark.