Popular restaurant chain owners suspected of severe wage exploitation

Finnish public broadcaster Yle reports that the owners of a well-known ethnic restaurant chain are under police investigation for the severe exploitation of foreign employees.

The couple, who own a chain of restaurants serving Caucasian cuisine, are suspected of forcing employees to return part of their wages. The woman is Finnish, while the man originally immigrated to Finland and later obtained citizenship. The chain operates in Turku, Espoo, Helsinki, and Tampere, with the owners also involved in similar restaurants nationwide.

A regional state administrative agency conducted multiple inspections between 2019 and 2025 at the couple’s restaurants and affiliated establishments, uncovering numerous deficiencies. The police investigation, now completed and under prosecution review, focuses on the Turku location between 2019 and 2022. The owners deny all allegations of misconduct and illegal working conditions.

According to Yle, police interviewed four foreign employees as victims, three of whom share the same nationality as the foreign-born owner. At least two claimed they were forced to return part of their wages monthly, leaving them with only €1,100–€1,300. Some workers were unaware of such practices.

The owners stated they initially helped employees send money to their home countries, though Yle has no confirmation that the funds reached the workers’ families. Some employees also reported working without residence permits initially.

A former Finnish employee testified that foreign workers were treated differently, with some unaware of their rights until learning English and receiving help from Finnish colleagues. Two foreign workers said deductions were made for loans, rent, and official fees without their prior knowledge.

Surveillance and unpaid overtime were also reported. Two employees described excessive working hours without compensation, unpaid overtime, and inconsistent shift pay. One claimed to have worked unpaid during off-hours, including overnight food preparation. Some foreign workers lived in shared accommodation arranged by the owners.

The owners dismissed wage return claims, suggesting workers may not have understood tax deductions. Inspections revealed unauthorized camera surveillance in the Tampere restaurant, with owners monitoring employees without disclosure.

Yle obtained messages showing an owner commenting on staff performance via surveillance footage.