#EU4FairWork campaign

The wages for undeclared work are usually paid in cash. The wages paid to the employee or part of it is not declared to the Finnish Tax Administration and the employer does not pay the employee’s social security contributions such as the employment pension, unemployment insurance and accident insurance premiums.

At worst, undeclared work may be manifested as severe underpayment of wages and may be extortionate workplace discrimination or even human trafficking.

Everyone has the right to fair terms of employment and working conditions. Only work that has been notified to the authorities guarantees the right to social security and appropriate terms employment such as pay, working hours and occupational safety and health. Fair work is not discriminatory and does not abuse another person’s weaker position or ignorance. By declaring work, we also build our common security and the public services required by citizens and companies.

According to the observations made by several different authorities, the number of undeclared workers in Finland has been on the rise over the past two years. For example, this is revealed by an increase in contacting the occupational safety and health authorities and the observations made by the authorities when conducting inspections at workplaces.

Finland prevents undeclared work by improving legislation and the operating conditions and cooperation of the authorities at both the national and international level.

The prevention of undeclared work is part of the programme tackling the grey economy and economic crime.

The prevention of undeclared work is a political priority for the European Union. In summer 2019, the European Labour Authority (ELA) was established to step up efforts to tackle undeclared work and abuses in cross-border situations. The ELA promotes awareness of the EU’s movement provisions among companies and workers, better implementation of the provisions, and cross-border cooperation and monitoring by the authorities.