Government continues to combat the shadow economy and economic crime
On 19 December 2024, the Government adopted a strategy and an action plan for tackling the shadow economy and economic crime for 2024–2027. During the new programming period, operating conditions of the authorities will be enhanced and their cooperation intensified.
The shadow economy and economic crime cause significant losses in taxes and other charges as well as criminal damage in Finnish society every year. Moreover, the shadow economy undermines the status of lawful and ethically sound business operations and their staff by subjecting them to unfair competition.
“An effective fight against the shadow economy is necessary to ensure healthy competition between companies and a fair labour market,” says Minister of Employment Arto Satonen.
The strategy will continue the previous work to combat the shadow economy and economic crime. As before, the strategic objectives are:
- promote healthy competition between companies and a fair labour market,
- prevent the shadow economy and economic crime,
- ensure the ability of authorities to combat the shadow economy and economic crime
- develop measures to combat the shadow economy and economic crime and improve cooperation between authorities.
Action plan projects to enhance supervision
The action plan for implementing the strategy includes 19 projects involving more than 20 authorities. A number of projects are implemented in cooperation between ministries, agencies and authorities.
The projects will
- correct shortcomings identified in legislation concerning the powers and sanctions,
- enhance enforcement proceedings and recovery of criminal proceeds,
- improve the capacity of authorities to process and analyse digital materials,
- identify legislative challenges and obstacles related to the activities of authorities,
- raise awareness of the shadow economy in order to prevent abuses,
- develop cooperation between authorities both nationally and internationally,
- ensure the accuracy of and access to essential register data.
The action plan will respond to the resource challenges of authorities by enhancing the powers of authorities involved in combating the shadow economy, developing cooperation between the authorities and securing access to information.
Progress of the action plan to be monitored regularly
A steering group on combating the shadow economy led by Minister of Employment Arto Satonen will be responsible for implementing and updating the strategy and monitoring the implementation of the action plan.
The executive group on combating the shadow economy and economic crime, formed by ministries and authorities, will report on the progress made with implementing the action plan to the steering group and, if necessary, propose changes to the strategy or the action plan.
Inquiries:
Jaakko Aromaa, Special Adviser to the Minister of Employment, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 504 7110 (questions to the Minister of Employment)
Päivi Kantanen, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 504 8938 0295 048 938
Juha Tuovinen, Chief Superintendent, Ministry of the Interior, tel. +358 29 548 8364 (combating economic crime and the administrative branch of the Ministry of the Interior)
Janne Marttinen, Director, Finnish Tax Administration – Grey Economy Information Unit, tel. +358 29 512 6066 (reports on the shadow economy and general situational picture on the shadow economy and economic crime)
Tarja Valsi, Deputy Director, Finnish Tax Administration – Customer Relations Unit, tel. +358 295 124 449 (measures of the Tax Administration, multi-authority projects)