Oulu restaurateur convicted of aggravated exploitation of workers

Oulu District Court has sentenced a restaurateur to one year and five months in prison, suspended, for aggravated exploitation, Yle reported.

The offences involved two employees and took place between 2017 and 2021. According to the court’s ruling, the restaurateur failed to pay one worker a total of 75,000 euros in wages, holiday compensation and wage supplements, and another worker 80,000 euros.

The court said the entrepreneur gained significant financial benefit from the offences and noted that the criminal activity continued for a long period.

According to the ruling, the restaurateur ruthlessly exploited the workers’ particular vulnerability or otherwise insecure position. The employees did not speak Finnish, were dependent on their employer and were unaware of their rights, the court said.

The restaurateur was ordered to pay the outstanding wages and compensation to the two employees.

The court dismissed a charge of aggravated exploitation concerning a third person.