occupational safety The Regional State Administration for Southern Finland’s Health Service (OSHA) conducted several unannounced inspections over the weekend of 2023 targeting the use of foreign workers at construction sites in Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo and Tuusula. These actions emphasize the agency’s role as a regional authority in workplace safety and labor law enforcement.
The inspection revealed multiple cases that led us to suspect that employers were not paying workers the required overtime and Sunday work compensation. These cases are subject to ongoing supervision to ensure compliance with labor laws.
Illegal employment was identified at only one construction site, where foreign workers were found to be working without proper work authorization through residence permits. The safety inspection also identified minor deficiencies in the use of protective equipment, scaffolding safety, access routes and site cleanliness.
The inspection also scrutinized the use of identification documents and compliance with contractors’ obligations to maintain worker registers, which are important for transparency and accountability in construction projects.
These inspections are carried out without notice and are aimed at preventing the exploitation of foreign workers in the construction industry, which is known for its high risk of labor law violations. In addition to construction sites, Southern Finland OSHA also conducts foreign worker inspections in sectors such as the restaurant industry and conducts audits related to contractor liability.
In 2023, seven weekend inspections were carried out at construction sites, with more sites observed but not scrutinized as there was no active work going on at the time of the inspection. The agency will continue its weekend oversight of construction sites this year, increasing its efforts to protect workers’ rights and ensure fair labor practices in the industry.
HT