Local Representative Services for Posted Workers in Finland
Econia acts as a representative for foreign employers in Finland
Econia acts as the official local representative of international companies towards the Finnish Authorities in accordance with the Posted Worker Act. We're here to help you to fulfil the Finnish obligations and operate in compliance with regulations. We can advice you in various situations occurring at the sites. Whether it is the Finnish Occupational Safety and Health authority or the Union shop steward asking questions for your posted workers or changes take place on the site that influence on legal obligations, we are here to help you.
Foreign employer's representative in Finland
Foreign companies posting workers to Finland must appoint a representative here in Finland who can be contacted by both the posted workers and the authorities at all times during the posting. In practice, this means they must have an address in Finland.
The company or its representative must be able to provide all necessary documentation about the posting company and its workers to the relevant authorities. At least:
- Identifying details of the posting company and the posted worker or workers
- An explanation of the posted worker’s right to work
- Information on the posted worker’s terms and conditions of employment
- A record of working hours concerning the posted worker’s work in Finland and a payslip.
As your local representative, we offer to you
- Our local representation service consists of all statutory requirements including collecting and maintaining required information about posted workers as well as the review of employees’ right to work and applicable work conditions.
- Our service also includes notifications of posted workers including new and complimentary notifications (see the duty to notify).
- We advise our clients in the official inquiries and audits by the Finnish authorities to help to avoid issues that could potentially influence negatively on ongoing and future operations.
- We react quickly when changes take place on the site that influence on legal requirements and can advice on all posted worker matters and contractor’s obligations.
Let us help you as your local trusted foreign employer’s representative in Finland!
Posted workers Act in Finland
In compliance with Finnish law, posting companies bear certain obligations. Any foreign company posting workers to Finland must notify the occupational safety and health authorities before work begins. The obligation to notify relates to all workers covered by the provisions of the Act on Posting Workers.
Companies using posted workers in Finland must appoint a local representative for the posting company who is available for communication. Additionally, those employing subcontracted or temporary workers must ensure the contractor's compliance with statutory obligations.
A “posted worker” is an employee who is sent by his employer to carry out service in another EU Member State on a temporary basis. If your company wins a service contract in another country and sends its employees there to carry out the contract, this is called posting of workers. These rules also apply if you send a staff member to a business you own in another EU country. In both cases, there must be an employment relationship between you and the posted staff. Posting rules also apply if a recruitment agency or a temporary work agency hires someone from a different EU country to work in a business registered in their country. In this case, an employment relationship must exist between the worker and the agency.
For the duration of the posting the workers, you must guarantee your staff the same conditions and terms of employment as those in force in the host country. These can be regulated either by law or collective agreements. The EU law defines a set of mandatory rules regarding the terms and conditions of employment to be applied to posted worker.
Posted workers’ rights
- Minimum rates of pay and maximum work periods
- Minimum rest periods
- Minimum paid annual leave
- The conditions of hiring out workers through temporary work agencies
- Health, safety, and hygiene at work
- Equal treatment between men and women
EU laws
The employer can also apply working conditions which are more favorable to workers than those of the sending Member State. The employer may also pay costs for travel, boarding, and lodging in the EU country where the worker is posted if this is foreseen in the home country’s legislation. These allowances will have to be paid on top of the normal wage. Requirements are not obligatory if the whole posting lasts for less than 8 days.
The EU law thus provides a clear framework to guarantee fair competition and respect for the posted workers’ rights so that both businesses and workers can take full advantage of the internal market opportunities.
The social security of posted workers is regulated through Regulation no 883/2004 on the coordination of social security systems. As a posted worker, you will continue to be covered by the social security system of your home country for a maximum of 2 years (there are exceptions).
Why choose Econia as your local representative in Finland?
- Over the years, we have represented numerous international companies during their Finnish projects and are known for efficient working ways and strong commitment.
- We are familiar with all authorities, stakeholders, official procedures and local legislation influencing on posted workers and subcontractors.
- We support and assist with audits and official inquiries by the Finnish authorities.
- We are an independent partner, free from chains, ensuring competitive pricing and a flexible operating model.
- We can advice on all obligations and setup questions incl. registrations, personal/company taxation, collective agreements, VAT, accounting & payroll, employee tax numbers, construction site access cards and more.
- Our operations are guided by the ISO 9001:2015 quality system certified by Bureau Veritas, ensuring professional work methods and efficient service processes.