Interventions in the exploitation of foreign workers require good cooperation between different authorities

The European Criminal Policy Institute (HEUNI) has made an international comparison of the struggle against the exploitation of foreign workers in various countries. The investigation specifically describes the cooperation models of the authorities in Norway, Belgium and the United Kingdom.

The inquiry, appointed by the Ministry of Employment and Economy, also deals with legislation introduced by the Netherlands, Belgium and the United Kingdom to intervene in labor exploitation. The inquiry also presents the Estonian Labor Dispute Commission and Sweden’s law on human exploitation.

The investigation shows that interventions in the exploitation of foreign workers require well-structured cooperation between occupational safety, police, tax authority and other key actors. Common work patterns and common work culture emerge at the regional level as federal officials continue to meet and disseminate information at the lower threshold.

“Labor exploitation is a multifaceted phenomenon that is changing shape. When combating exploitation, one must remain sensitive and consider new methods as a continuation of measures already taken during this government. Minister of Labor Tula Haatainen.

More information about work-related application is needed

In addition to police, border officers and occupational safety and health inspectors, labor exploitation includes, for example, health, recovery, alcohol and tax inspectors, union officials and shop administrators, social, health and medical staff, immigration representative organizations and support groups, migration and permits.

Various research officers and other actors should be given more information about work-related exploitation so that they can be trained and informed on how to proceed in suspicious cases. There are many more recommendations in the investigation.

The European Criminal Policy Agency conducted the investigation on behalf of the Ministry of Employment and the Economic Working Group on Prevention of Exploitation of Foreign Workers.

More info:
Olly Soren, Government Councilor, Tel. 029 504 8022
Anna Brun, Consulting Officer, Tel. 0295 048 254
Annina Joginan, Special Planning, European Criminal Policy Institute (HEUNI), Tel: +358 50 351 7044
Anna-Greta Beckerinen, Researcher, European Criminal Policy Institute (HEUNI), Tel: 050 477 7120