Hundreds of employees sent home from construction sites in Denmark amid migrant worker exploitation allegations

Several hundred employees have been sent home from their jobs on three major public construction sites in Denmark, including the Odense University Hospital, the Zealand University Hospital in Køge, and the construction of the Storstrøm Bridge. This decision follows revelations in an upcoming documentary about migrant workers’ conditions, which uncovers troubling labor practices at these sites, where the Italian contractor Itinera is the main contractor.

Albanian subcontractor Tekno Fire has been suspended due to these reports. Employees from Tekno Fire claim they are systematically required to return part of their salaries back to the company each month. Despite being employed under a high-salary scheme that is designed to attract skilled workers from outside the EU, the documentary suggests that workers receive their wages only to have a portion deducted afterward.

The scheme mandates a minimum annual salary of approximately 487,000 Danish kroner before taxes to secure a work permit. There are no specific educational requirements, and salary payments must be deposited into a Danish bank account.

In response to the allegations, Itinera’s Nordic Area Manager condemned the information concerning Tekno Fire and stated that they acted promptly upon hearing rumors about the company. Furthermore, he emphasized that migrant workers face different pressures compared to local employees and are often in a vulnerable position, which contributes to their exploitation.

In light of these findings, Itinera has initiated an internal investigation and stated that they will not hesitate to report any illegal activities to the authorities. The documentary detailing these issues will be available for viewing shortly.