Government continues work to tackle labour exploitation: legislative amendments to residence permit procedures underway

Government continues work to tackle labour exploitation: legislative amendments to residence permit procedures underway

Effective and proactive action is needed to address the exploitation of foreign workers. The Government is continuing its efforts to combat labour exploitation with a legislative project that will examine and prepare the necessary amendments to residence permit procedures.

"Long-term and broad cooperation between authorities has brought cases of labour exploitation to light in recent years. The Government is pressing ahead with reforms to tackle and prevent labour exploitation. With this legislative project, we are addressing shortcomings in how residence permits are granted and processed," Minister of Employment Matias Marttinen says.

The project will identify and introduce the necessary changes to residence permit procedures to help combat and prevent labour exploitation. The amendments may concern, for example, the effects of suspected offences by employers, clarifying employer responsibility and developing a residence permit granted to victims of exploitation.

Measures to prevent exploitation have progressed during this government term

The legislative project is part of the Government's action plan to prevent labour exploitation. As part of the plan, legislative amendments have already been made to improve the status of natural product pickers. Efforts have also been made to ensure that people arriving in Finland for work receive multilingual information about their rights through several channels. Ethical recruitment practices have been developed in countries partnering with Finland for international recruitment.

"With the broad measures included in the action plan, we aim to ensure that all workers can work in a safe and fair environment. Combating labour exploitation requires action from the authorities, but of course also responsible practices from employers," Minister Marttinen says.

The legislative project will also include the amendments to the Seasonal Workers Act required by the European Commission.

The Government intends to submit its proposal to Parliament during the autumn 2026 session.

Inquiries:
Ariann Grandell, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 236
Teresa Salminen, Special Adviser to the Minister of Employment, tel. +358 295 047 318 (questions to the Minister of Employment)