Collaboration with the Finnish Construction Trade Union

The National Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking (NAS) met with representatives from the Finnish Construction Trade Union’s Unit of International Labour to discuss how to detect, recognize, and combat labor exploitation and human trafficking in the construction sector.

The meeting between the Finnish Construction Trade Union’s Unit of International Labour and the NAS opened an important dialogue. As a government agency, the NAS is responsible for identifying and helping victims of human trafficking. Since the NAS does not carry out outreach work, it is crucial to share information about the phenomenon and victim identification widely with various actors who encounter individuals in difficult situations.

Overview of Construction Sector

According to the Tax Administration, the construction sector in Finland is one of the high-risk areas for labour exploitation. However, the NAS has not seen this sector at the forefront of cases: last year, only five people identified as victims of human trafficking in the construction industry were admitted as clients. This number, however, is higher than in previous years.

The Trade Union reported that approximately 25,000 foreign construction workers are employed in Finland, of which 10,000 are “posted workers.” It is known that these workers are often subject to significant underpayment. According to the Union, behind many wage disputes lies other forms of exploitation, which may be difficult to address or even recognize. In some cases, the exploitation is severe. It is not known how much mistreatment that meets the criteria for human trafficking occurs in the sector.

According to the Construction Trade Union, contracts are often subcontracted in layers, meaning a construction site may involve many different companies. The developer may not always be fully aware of the situation on the site, and the responsibility for the subcontracting chain does not necessarily extend to the lowest-level actors. Various fraudulent activities occur in subcontracting chains: for example, there have been cases where work permits were applied for on incorrect grounds or even for a different profession, or where workers were misled into becoming self-employed without realizing it. Issues such as unfulfilled wage payments and wage discrepancies are common in the Union’s investigations. Workers are also threatened with violence, and as a result, many cases go unnoticed.

How to identify possible victims

During the meeting, trainers from the NAS provided clear examples of when it is important to consider the situation from a human trafficking perspective. Identifying a potential victim and offering them the opportunity to get help is crucial.

Questions that can be asked to the worker include:

  • How many hours did you work per day, and did you have any days off?
  • How much were you paid? Did you have to give part of your salary back to the employer?
  • Has anyone threatened or pressured you or your family?
  • Have you paid someone to get this job, and are you in debt to anyone?

Attention should also be paid to situations where there is a “personal translator” present who speaks on behalf of the worker. The worker may seem nervous and may not appear to know how to handle their own affairs, or they may avoid certain topics or explain them in odd ways. Living conditions can also reveal exploitation.

These guidelines are general and suitable for identifying exploitation and assessing the situation in various sectors.

One of the experts from the NAS is available every weekday at the number 0295 463 177 from 8:00 AM to 4:15 PM. The experts receive many consultation calls: seeking advice, discussing a situation, and considering further actions. The NAS provides help, advice, and guidance for callers.

For more information about the risks of labor exploitation, visit the Tax Administration’s website: Know the risks of exploitation

You can report suspected exploitation anonymously on the Finnish Construction Trade Union’s website: Report suspected exploitation on construction sites.