Lucy files complaint against employer amid delays in trafficking case in Finland

Lucy’s employment journey in Finland began under dire circumstances, with months of work performed without pay, overtime compensation, or days off. The case has since escalated to a criminal complaint. This drawn-out process, highlighted by significant delays in legal proceedings, reflects a troubling trend that undermines victims’ faith in achieving justice.

For years, law enforcement has struggled to identify key indicators of human trafficking crimes, which has considerably slowed investigations. Although the average duration of these investigations has improved, many older cases, like Lucy’s, still await resolution.

Initially, Lucy, an Asian migrant, was misinformed by her employer about her employment status, leading her to believe that the first few months did not warrant payment due to a trial period. After just over two years of grueling work for another employer from Asia, she was offered one day off each week, but long hours without overtime pay continued.

As she familiarized herself with Finnish society and labor laws, Lucy filed a report against her employer. It has now been five years since the complaint, which only recently made it to the prosecution stage.

Experts reveal that victims often find it challenging to lodge complaints, compounded by the stress of enduring prolonged investigations. Many feel that authorities exhibit a lack of interest, making it hard to maintain hope over the years as the accused may continue their exploitative practices.

In 2021, the Deputy Ombudsman noted difficulties within the police to recognize trafficking indicators during preliminary investigations, some of which have extended over four years. Although recent improvements have been noted, the average investigation duration remains inconsistent, with some cases from the previous year taking nearly two years to assess.