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If your employer has exploited you and you have a residence permit in Finland, you can apply for a new permit or certificate

Publication date 1.10.2021 8.37
Press release

The situation of persons exploited by their employer will improve as amendments to the Aliens Act enter into force on 1 October 2021.

If your employer has exploited you or neglected their obligations to a significant degree, you can apply for an extended permit or for a certificate of expanded right to work and change your employer. To do this, you must have a residence permit in Finland which contains the right to work.

You cannot apply for this permit or certificate if you have been working in Finland with a certificate for seasonal work or without a residence permit.

If you are granted an extended permit or a certificate of expanded right to work due to exploitation by employer, you can work in any field of your choice. In other words, you will have an unrestricted right to work.

How to apply for extended permit or certificate due to exploitation by employer

Apply for an extended permit if your current residence permit is about to expire and you do not yet have a new employer

Extended permit is granted for the purpose of looking for work or starting a business, and it is valid for one year. The permit becomes valid when your previous residence permit expires. Read the instructions on how to apply for an extended permit due to exploitation by employer.

Apply for a certificate if you have a valid residence permit and you have found a new employer

A certificate of expanded right to work makes it easier for you to leave your old employer and start working for a new employer. Read the instructions on how to apply for a certificate of expanded right to work due to exploitation by employer.

Significant negligence and exploitation by employer can mean, for example, that your employer:

  • makes you work unreasonably long hours;
  • has not paid you the salary you have agreed upon in your employment contract;
  • threatens the life or health of you or your family.

A more extensive list of examples of what significant negligence or exploitation by employer can be.

Any work done in Finland must comply with Finnish legislation. This means, among other things, that no employee should be underpaid or made work in dangerous working conditions.

Language versions

Updated 5.10.2021: Translations to Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Nepali and Ukrainian added to the language versions

Updated 13.10.2021: Translations to Bengali, Russian and Turkish added to the language versions.