Groups of migrant berry pickers arriving annually in Sweden from both Asia and the newer European Union Member States have been subject to exploitation over the years. The problem appears to persist in spite of public and international concern and successive regulatory reforms. An examination of this problem from a forced labour perspective suggests inadequate implementation and application of international norms in Swedish law, as well as deficiencies in the application of criminal-law and in regulatory oversight. Policy recommendations regarding the labour conditions for seasonal migrant workers in Sweden are put forward.
Lars Riberth, deputy rector, Bräcke, has tired of seeing how the berry pickers are mistreated, and started a financial collection. 'This is a form of modern slavery,' says Lars Riberth. (Kyrkans Tidning, 26 August 2010)
International Journal of Comparative Labour Law and Industrial Relations