"Police suspect Finnish construction company exploited Peruvian, Romanian workers", 24 August 2023

A construction company in Uusimaa is being investigated by police over suspected exploitation of 17 foreign workers.

Police believe the victims of the suspected crimes are workers from Peru and Romania.

The preliminary investigation into the case has now been completed, according to Detective Inspector Hans Pirttilä of Eastern Uusimaa police, and the file has been passed to prosecutors for consideration.

"It has become evident during the course of the preliminary investigation that some of the foreign workers have not received any bonuses or overtime payment in accordance with the sector's collective agreement," Pirttilä said.

The workers are believed to have been forced to work long hours, up to 12 hours per day, without any overtime being paid, and giving them very few days off work. They also did not know at the outset of a working day what time they would be allowed to finish, or when their outstanding wages would be paid.

The suspected offences took place between 2019 and 2021, and came to light following a joint inspection carried out by police and the Regional State Administrative Agency's labour protection unit.

The preliminary investigation also uncovered evidence that the company exploited the workers' lack of Finnish language skills as well as their poor understanding and knowledge of Finnish labour law and collective agreements...