Dark work knows no bounds. Together with its member countries, the European Labor Authority organizes a communication campaign that shares information about measures to combat undeclared work and why working officially is in everyone's interest. The European Union works together against undeclared work.
In Finland, a comprehensive network that covers ministries, supervisory authorities and organizations participates in the campaign: Ministry of Labor and Economy, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Finance, Police, Immigration Office, Occupational Safety and Health Authority, i.e. regional administrative agencies' areas of responsibility for occupational health and safety, Tax Administration, Pension Security Center, Occupational Safety Center, Finnish Confederation of Business and Industry EK, Rakennusteollisuus RT, Suomen Yrittäjät ry, Tourism and Restaurant Services MaRa ry, Akava ry, Service Industry Trade Union PAM ry, Autoliekmen Työnantajaliitto ry, European Criminal Policy Institute (HEUNI), Kela.
The communication campaign starts in March and ends in June 2020. You can follow the campaign on social media with the hashtag #EU4FairWork.
What is undeclared work?
The salary for undeclared work is usually paid in cash. The salary paid to the employee or part of it is not reported to the Tax Administration, and the employer does not pay the employee's social insurance contributions, such as occupational pension, unemployment and accident insurance contributions.
At its most serious, undeclared work can manifest itself as blatant underpayment and be a form of discrimination at work or even human trafficking.
Why should undeclared work be combated?
Everyone has the right to fair working terms and conditions. Only work that has been reported to the authorities guarantees the right to social security, appropriate working conditions such as pay, working hours and job security. Fair work does not discriminate, take advantage of, or take advantage of another person's inferiority or ignorance. By notifying the work, common security and public services needed by citizens and companies are also built.
In Finland, the amount of undeclared labor has been increasing over the past two years, based on the findings of several different authorities. The growth is shown by, among other things, increased contacts with the occupational safety and health authorities and the inspection observations collected by the authorities at the work sites.
How is undeclared work combated in Finland?
In Finland, undeclared work is combated by developing legislation and the operating conditions of the authorities and cooperation at both the national and international level.
Combating undeclared work is part of the program to combat the gray economy and financial crime.
How is undeclared work combated in the EU?
Combating undeclared work is a political priority for the European Union. In the summer of 2019, the European Labor Authority (ELA) was established, which enhances measures to combat undeclared work and abuses in cross-border situations. ELA promotes companies' and employees' awareness of EU mobility regulations, better implementation of the regulations, and cross-border cooperation and supervision of authorities.
For more information:
- Negotiating official Päivi Kantanen, TEM, 0295 048 938
- Responsible lawyer Ville Wartiovaara, Rakennusteollisuus RT, 040 564 7939
- Gray economy and financial crime website: The user of the dark workforce hides the work to avoid employer obligations