Helsinki (17.05.2004 - Juhani Artto) Construction and catering are the two industries in Finland in which unofficial labour has gained the strongest foothold. The highest estimates suggest that the number of illegal migrant workers on construction sites has jumped from a handful to several thousand over the last few years. To reverse this unhealthy trend, the construction industry labour market organisations have now jointly published a guidebook on the regulations governing the use of foreign labour.
The new materials are aimed at construction industry employers using foreign labour. The guidebook is published by the Finnish Construction Trade Union and the Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries – RT.
"After this guidebook becomes available nobody will reasonably be able to plead ignorance of the rules governing the employment of foreign workers," the Construction Trade Union says. "Any developer or building contractor who is unwilling to spend an hour reading this guidebook is clearly not even interested in learning the regulations."
"The principal question concerning foreign labour is that of whether we want the construction industry in Finland to remain an honest sector of society. A dozen large building and construction business occupy a key position in this respect. If they show commitment to legislation and the agreed code of conduct, then the future of the construction industry will be secure," the union insists.
The union reports that co-operation with the RT Confederation to produce the guidebook was smooth. "Both organisations genuinely want construction to remain a law-abiding and reputable activity."
The guidebook explains in detail the obligations and rights of various parties. There is a whole complex of regulations, beginning with identity and permit checks and moving on to industrial accident insurance, taxation and the application of collective agreements. Despite the plethora of special conditions, any employer and contractor is capable of understanding what they must do and what they are not allowed to do in respect of foreign labour.
Read also a commentary on the above news by Daryl Taylor: State officials stumble over the new immigration legislation (17.05.2004)