Problems in an employment relationship

The Finnish laws and any international agreements that bind Finland are applied to work performed in Finland. Usually also a collective labour agreement applies. These agreements determine work-related rights and obligations, such as the minimum wage. The purpose of the agreements is to protect employees.

No employee should submit to inappropriate treatment, underpayment, too long work days, or dangerous working conditions.

If you encounter problems in your work, help is available – see the links below. You may also seek help from, for example, a lawyer.

• If the working conditions at your work place are not satisfactory, you may ask for advice from the occupational safety and health authorities.
• If you are unsure what kind of work your residence permit entitles you to do, the authorities that granted the permit will advise you.
• If you find out that the law is being broken at your work place, you may always turn to the police.
• If you are not paid an appropriate salary (at least the minimum wage you are entitled to, or the salary stated in your employment contract) or if you are given work shifts that are too long, perhaps without appropriate breaks, your employer may be committing a crime. You may report the matter to the police or the occupational safety and health authorities.
• If you are a member of a trade union, you may ask for help from your trade union or an employees’ representative.
• If you suspect human trafficking, concerning you or someone else, you may find help via the www.humantrafficking.fi site.