Drivers in Finland lose thousands in unpaid overtime due to misconceptions about pay

Many professional drivers working overtime in Finland may be losing thousands of euros each year due to common misconceptions about pay in the transportation sector. An example is Markku, who has over a decade of experience but does not receive overtime pay, despite often working over 50 hours a week. To protect his employment status, Markku has chosen not to disclose his full name.

During a recent contract discussion, his employer stated that wages are in accordance with the collective agreement, which includes evening and night bonuses along with daily allowances, but fails to address overtime compensation. Markku shares, “We didn’t even talk about Sunday rates. I’ve never received them from any company, so I didn’t even know to demand them.”

Vesa Lackman, a contract manager for the Auto and Transport Workers’ Union AKT, expressed strong disapproval of Markku’s situation, labeling it as completely illegal. Lackman explained that non-payment of overtime or Sunday bonuses cannot be justified by higher hourly wages. This form of payment, known as ‘lumped hourly wage,’ excludes overtime and Sunday compensation, often misleading employees who may find a higher base pay appealing.

This issue is particularly prevalent in smaller companies where employees may hesitate to voice their concerns due to a fear of repercussions. Many drivers, like Markku, have not made claims about their rights for fear of job loss. The overall atmosphere in the industry, as noted by Pasanen from AKT, is one of silence, with numerous disputes continuously under review.

With inadequate consequences for employers overpay violations in Finland, some industry leaders are advocating for stronger regulations to combat this issue.