Foreign Workers and Their Work Rights

Work Rights for Foreign Workers in the Construction Industry – How to Utilize Nopsa Pro

The presence of foreign workers on construction sites is a valuable part of the workforce, but it’s essential to consider the regulations surrounding their work rights. Main contractors must ensure that every foreign worker on-site has the appropriate work rights. This responsibility extends not only to the main contractor’s employees but also to all foreign workers employed by subcontractors on the site.

Careful Verification of Work Rights is Required

Employers and main contractors need to ensure that workers’ documents are up-to-date and in order. If there are gaps in documentation or if a worker does not have the legal right to work on-site, the main contractor could face significant consequences, such as fines or even site closure. Moreover, worksite safety and quality can suffer if workers’ rights are not closely monitored.

The main contractor must ensure that the employer verifies the following:

• Work rights of employees, particularly if they are from outside the EU or EEA.
• Verification and recording of the employee’s tax number, which must be registered in the tax number registry.
• Documentation of work rights verification, for example, by retaining copies of residence permits and tax numbers.
• Monitoring of permit validity, as work rights may be time-limited, and the employer must ensure the worker holds a valid permit throughout the employment. The permit may also be restricted to a specific industry.
• Verification and documentation of any necessary A1 certificate, if the worker has been sent by a foreign company.

Failure to fulfill these responsibilities can place the employer at risk of legal accountability and lead to significant penalties.

The New Nopsa Pro Induction Update

The Nopsa Pro induction system is being updated to make it easier to meet these responsibilities. New features guide trainers in asking and verifying critical and essential information related to foreign workers’ right to work in Finland. The system ensures that no crucial details are missed during induction, helping to reduce human errors that could lead to serious consequences.

Staying Up-to-Date

With these updates, the Nopsa Pro system enhances both site safety and compliance, which is especially important in the increasingly international construction industry. Every employer and main contractor should be aware of these heightened responsibilities and leverage modern tools like Nopsa Pro to meet their obligations. This approach ensures that foreign workers’ rights are in order and that construction sites operate smoothly and safely.