This would include giving them information in their native language about workers' rights and responsibilities and other legal and social matters. The aim is to reach these women as soon as they arrive in the country.

The motive behind the move stemmed from the desire to reach out to women in "Thai massage" parlours, who often lead restricted lives and do not come into contact with this kind of helpful information. Thai massage parlours are frequently fronts for brothels.

But the Ministry working group says that the information is also intended for any Thai woman who moves to the country, such as spouses of Finnish men.

In fact, the idea is to offer training on culture, customs, and habits to both the husband and wife before they get married.

Isolation is Dangerous

The committee is basing its goals on reports that Thai women in Finland who have been marginalised often become the victims of domestic violence. Many of them live for years without learning the language and completely isolated from Finnish society.

Even though the report is specifically about Thai women, the same is true of women from other nationalities who come to Finland to work or live.

Tiina Pesonen, an inspector with the Interior Ministry, says the problem is not necessarily a lack of information, but the fact that it doesn't reach the women for whom it is intended. Information on Finnish society and law is available in many languages both on the Internet and in written form.

Around 4,400 Thais live in Finland. The vast majority, 3,800, are women.