Organisations sent on 13 June to the Finnish Customs an information request regarding imports of products made by Natural Fruit to Finland. Natural Fruit, a Thai pineapple company, is suspected of exploiting their workers. 

The Customs replied to the organisations saying that the information that the organisations had requested cannot be disclosed. In their response, the Customs reference the Act on the Openness of Government Activities according to which the requested information is considered secret.

In their letter, the organisations gave as a reason for their request consumers' right to information that is material for making purchasing decisions. The organisations argued that well-founded allegations of forced labour or other serious human rights violations in the supply chains of consumer products are such information.

Finnwatch has previously researched working conditions at a Natural Fruit pineapple processing plant in Prachuap Khiri Khan province in Thailand. The findings of interviews with Natural Fruit workers pointed towards forced labour and even human trafficking.  

In their response, the Customs did not comment on the reasons for the request put forwad by the organisations.  

– The Customs' response is a disappointment. Transparency of Customs' information would contribute towards efforts to eliminate forced labour, said Anu Kultalahti, a researcher at Finnwatch.

According to the Customs' response, the majority of imports of Thai pineapple products to Finland are routed via the Netherlands.

– We will respond to the Customs. We will also contact the Customs in the Netherlands.

Organisations' information request was signed by Finnwatch, Pro Ethical Trade, Consumers' Union of Finland and Transparency International Finland. It was published on 14 June. The information request (in Finnish) is available here >> 

The Customs' response (in Finnish) is available here >>

Update 7 July: The organisations' response (in Finnish) to the Customs is available here >>