Workers in Sweden "knew risks"

       One of four companies which secured jobs for Thai berry pickers in Sweden has admitted its employment contracts with the workers guaranteed them no legal or welfare protection.
       Siam Royal Services Group Co said the contracts were simply a means to help the workers avoid the 32% income tax in Sweden.
       Phimradee Mukkaew, manager of Siam Royal Services Group, said the workers were not her company's employees, but day labourers.
       The workers' income was based on the number of berries they picked.
       Ms Phimradee said the workers were told in advance of the working conditions in Sweden and the possibility of low berry yields, which was the problem the workers encountered.
       There were not enough berries to pick due to unfavourable weather and many pickers were left without work. They borrowed money to finance their trips to Sweden and are now deep in debt.
       Bunsong Kitsamret, director of the job seekers protection and inspection division at the Labour Ministry, said there was little legal recourse for the workers because they knew what they were getting themselves in to.
       The workers could not sue the companies which took them to Sweden for breaching their contract, Mr Bunsong said.
       Ms Phimradee denied her company had lured workers to Sweden. The workers went of their own free will.
       A group of berry pickers who returned from Sweden empty-handed claimed they were lured into working there with promises of well-paid, dream jobs.
       They demanded the companies give them a partial refund.
       Ms Phimradee said the workers understood that when they arrived in Sweden they would have to pay 150 Swedish kronor (730 baht) a day for their accommodation, food and fuel, in addition to the 75,000 baht for their air ticket and health insurance which was paid to her company before leaving Thailand.
       She said the employment contracts clearly stated that the employers in Sweden would arrange accommodation,food, fruit picking equipment, vehicles and fuel for the workers, and the cost would be deducted from their wages.
       Ms Phimradee said those who lodged a complaint with the Labour Ministry were only a small group of workers, some of whom were not actually troubled by the low berry yield.
       The last affected worker is expected to return next month.