Helsinki police uncover exploitation of migrant workers

Helsinki police have completed two separate criminal investigations involving suspected extortionate work discrimination, unpaid wages and illegal payments linked to employment. Both cases were handled by the regional human trafficking investigation unit and have now moved to prosecutorial review.

The first investigation focused on a cleaning company where foreign workers said they had to return most of their wages after payday. According to police, the suspect demanded payments in exchange for securing work-based residence permits made possible through full-time employment contracts.