Serious issues reported regarding foreign workers at Stora Enso construction site in Oulu

There have been serious issues reported regarding the treatment of foreign workers at Stora Enso’s construction site in Oulu’s Nuottasaari, according to the Industrial Union. The Finnish news outlet Kaleva was the first to report on this matter on Friday. The Industrial Union accuses Stora Enso of negligence in resolving salary disputes.

At the Nuottasaari plant expansion site, Andritz, a Finnish company subcontracting for Stora Enso, has allegedly failed to pay the wages of approximately forty foreign workers for the months of May to July. Turja Lehtonen, the Deputy Chairperson of the Industrial Union, stated that the workers are owed nearly €300,000 in total.

Lehtonen emphasized that negotiations are fully prepared in Oulu. “Stora Enso should now take responsibility and begin acting in accordance with the cooperation agreement established,” he commented to Yle. He further criticized the company’s indifferent attitude towards the workers and noted that no efforts have been made by Stora Enso to ensure that these employees receive their missing wages.

The situation highlights the ongoing concerns about labor rights and fair treatment of foreign workers in the construction sector in Finland, raising questions about the responsibility of companies in ensuring compliance and adherence to labor agreements.