Two berry picking systems

In Sweden, there are two systems for berry picking. It is important to distinguish between employed berry pickers who work under an employer-organized arrangement, and independent (free) berry pickers.

A company that employs pickers is obligated to follow the applicable labor laws. There is also a specific collective agreement where Livs (the union) is the negotiating party for employed wild berry pickers. These laws and agreements do not apply to independent berry pickers. Companies that purchase berries from free pickers cannot and must not impose requirements on how, when, or where the berries are picked – in these matters, the pickers must be free.

This freedom comes at a cost for the independent picker. They have no guaranteed salary and are not covered by any insurance.

  • Covered by a collective agreement.
  • Receives a monthly salary.
  • Can earn more than the monthly salary if they pick berries with a value exceeding the minimum wage according to the collective agreement.
  • Guaranteed a minimum wage, even if the value of delivered berries is below the minimum wage set by the collective agreement.
  • Is insured.
  • Receives holiday compensation.
  • Has a work schedule.
  • Receives extra pay for working inconvenient hours (unsocial hours allowance).
  • Receives occupational pension.
  • The employer is responsible for organized accommodation approved by the municipality and fire department, which conducts regular inspections.
  • The employer provides cooked meals, three meals per day.
  • Receives tools and equipment from the employer to perform their work (berry picking service), e.g., berry picking tools, packaging, vehicles, maps, etc.
  • Delivers the picked berries to their employer.
  • Provides a berry picking service.
  • Receives salary payments to a bank account.
  • The berries can be certified organic (KRAV-approved).
  • Is not an employee.
  • Picks berries independently.
  • Is responsible for their own accommodation.
  • Is responsible for their own tools for berry picking.
  • Is responsible for transportation to and from the forest using their own vehicle.
  • Is (normally) not insured.
  • Sells their picked berries to any chosen berry buyer.
  • Sells/delivers raw berries as a product.
  • Usually receives payment for their berries in cash.
  • The berries cannot be KRAV-certified.

Get in touch!