Oulu restaurant owner charged with exploiting foreign workers

A restaurant owner in Oulu, northern Finland, faces prison and a business ban after prosecutors accused them of withholding €402,000 in wages and compensation from three foreign employees, according to a report by Finnish broadcaster Yle.

The Northern Finland Prosecutor’s Office has filed charges for three counts of aggravated exploitation, alleging the workers—employed between 2017 and 2021—were subjected to excessive working hours and unpaid wages. The employees, described as vulnerable due to financial hardship and limited knowledge of Finnish labor laws, reportedly worked 8–15 hours a day, six or seven days a week, with shifts sometimes exceeding 200 hours over three weeks.

One worker allegedly paid a €14,500 “entry fee” to secure employment in Finland, only to be denied approximately €69,000 in wages, holiday pay, and bonuses. The other two employees are claimed to have lost around €163,000 and €170,000 respectively. Prosecutors argue the workers, seeking better livelihoods and residency permits for themselves and their families, were exploited due to their precarious status.

The accused, who has denied wrongdoing, reportedly held managerial roles in multiple Oulu restaurants. They claim compliance with labor laws and collective agreements, asserting the employees were neither dependent nor in distress. The case will be heard in Oulu District Court, with the indictment filed on March 5, 2024, following a 2021 police investigation.

Prosecutors are seeking forfeiture of the €402,000 financial gain and a business ban, citing harm to creditors, contractors, and fair competition. The defendant’s legal team has not yet responded to the demands.