BANGKOK — A Thai opposition lawmaker has proposed a comprehensive overhaul of the system for sending Thai workers to pick berries in Finland and Sweden, calling for stronger labor protections and measures to prevent human trafficking and exploitation.
Sahatsawat Khumkong, a Chon Buri MP from the People’s Party, said the system should be reformed from recruitment in Thailand through employment and follow-up after workers return home. Previous cases of human trafficking and labor rights violations have damaged confidence in the recruitment system and prompted destination countries to tighten scrutiny of seasonal worker visas, he said.
He proposed a three-phase reform plan.
Immediate measures
The first phase would introduce a standard employment contract approved by Thailand’s Ministry of Labour. Recruitment companies would be required to provide workers with benefits and protections that meet or exceed the specified standards.
The proposal also calls for a support and protection system for Thai workers, including guides explaining labor laws and workers’ rights in destination countries, easily accessible complaint channels and emergency contact services.
Stronger oversight of recruitment agencies
For the medium term, Sahatsawat proposed that the Ministry of Labour establish a reliability rating system for recruitment agencies, including a credit system and blacklist for companies that violate labor laws.
The screening should extend to company directors and potential use of nominee arrangements. Licenses should be revoked when serious violations are found, he said.
He also proposed requiring recruitment fees and other expenses to be paid through the banking system to prevent fraudulent charges and practices that could leave workers trapped in debt.
Another key proposal is a joint monitoring mechanism with destination countries. Thailand should coordinate with Finland’s Ministry of Labour so that Thai officials can conduct random inspections of working conditions on the ground.
A follow-up system should also monitor workers after they return to Thailand to determine whether they actually received the wages, rights and benefits promised in their employment contracts.
Move toward government-to-government recruitment
For the long term, Sahatsawat called for amendments to Thailand’s Employment and Job Seeker Protection Act to reflect modern cross-border employment arrangements.
He also proposed bilateral agreements between Thailand and destination countries to shift recruitment away from reliance on private brokers and toward government-to-government (G2G) cooperation.
Such agreements could provide stronger guarantees for workers’ rights and welfare in line with international labor standards.
Sahatsawat said the solution should focus on systemic reform rather than dealing with individual cases after problems occur. The Ministry of Labour, he said, should play a stronger role in regulating recruitment agencies, establishing effective monitoring mechanisms and coordinating with destination-country authorities.
He added that the proposals had already been discussed with the Labour Minister, who had given preliminary support, particularly for the immediate measures. Medium- and long-term proposals will be discussed further within the Ministry of Labour before decisions are made on implementation.
