Indian berry pickers in Latvia allege slavery-like conditions; employer denies
Dozens of Indian seasonal workers say they had their passports taken, were forced to work up to 18 hours a day picking blueberries and were left unpaid. The Latvian farm owner denies the accusations, saying everyone has been paid.
TV3's programme “Bez Tabu” has reported on the experiences of about 20 Indian nationals who came to Latvia for seasonal work at Aleksei Fomichev's companies “Lauberes ogas” and “Blueberry Land”. The workers claim that, despite contracts promising eight-hour days and 1,500 euros per month, they had to work 16–18 hours a day and were given only two or three days off over a period. They also say their passports were collected and they were told not to move more than 500 metres from the farm. One worker, Gišnu, told the programme they were threatened with being sent back to India if they failed to gather a set amount of berries.
Some workers say they received only a few hundred euros for their work, while others got nothing at all. Lawyer Aleksejs Ponomarjovs, who represents about 40 of the Indian nationals, compares the conditions to slavery and describes the situation as a deliberate scheme. He has been shown video footage in which the employer says there is no money. After the dismissals, the workers' temporary residence permits were revoked and border guards ordered them to leave Latvia within seven days. Several dozen had planned to take up jobs in Lithuania, but no longer have time to arrange the documents. One worker, Ron, said that nobody listens to them and that they have no money even for food.
Fomichev denies the accusations. He says none of the workers complained and points out that 20 Indians are still employed at his farm. He claims passports were taken only to verify information and prepare documents, and were later returned. The businessman insists all workers have been paid, saying transfers to Indian bank accounts were delayed for objective reasons. He explains the dismissals by saying he feared the men were secretly planning to work in construction in Lithuania and might become illegal migrants. He admits the decision was rushed and may have violated labour law. The workers deny any plan to flee, saying recruiters had suggested other work. Fomichev says tickets to India were bought for those dismissed. The State Labour Inspectorate and police have launched checks.
