Russia’s attack on Ukraine can be seen on berry farms
this year, seasonal workers have submitted significantly fewer applications than last year. Thousands of foreign workers work on Finnish berry and vegetable farms and farms every summer. Many seasonal workers have come to Finland, especially from Ukraine.
A total of 4,456 seasonal work certificates have been issued this year, of which 4,242 are to citizens of Ukraine.
Last year, 13,870 seasonal work certificates were issued, of which 13,287 were for Ukrainians. Most seasonal work certificates are issued annually during the spring and summer.
“The number of applications submitted is less than a third compared to last year. Russia’s attack on Ukraine clearly affects the number of seasonal workers, as most of them are Ukrainians,” he says. Pauliina Helminenhead of the licensing and citizenship unit.
Almost all seasonal work certificate applications have been processed.
Most of the seasonal workers come to Finland to work for a short time in the summer. They apply for a seasonal work certificate from the Immigration Office, which can be used in Finland for 90 days. Those who work longer than this apply for a residence permit for seasonal work.
The number of residence permits for seasonal workers will also decrease. Seasonal work permits for work of 3–6 months have been granted to 692 people in January-June (2021: 1,619). In addition, 262 work permits have been granted for a period of 6–9 months (2021: 403).
“Seasonal workers most often apply for a berry picking permit. Of course, seasonal work is also done in other fields and throughout the year, including holiday resorts and fur farms in the fall,” says Helminen.
A person applying for or receiving temporary protection can work freely in Finland
Finland grants temporary protection to those who have fled Ukraine as a result of the Russian invasion. After Russia’s occupation of Ukraine, 32,776 applications for temporary protection have been submitted to Finland. By 13 July 2022, 31,284 decisions have been made based on the applications.
“Ukrainians who applied for temporary protection can work freely in Finland. Some of them are very likely also employed on farms,” says Helminen.
About 68% of those applying for temporary protection are adults, and 20,153 of them are of working age. About 75% of applicants of working age are women.
Temporary protection is applied to the police or the border guard. The applicant can start working as soon as the application for temporary protection is registered with the police or border authority.
Source: Finnish Immigration Service