It was in July that 22-year-old Szymon from Poland first came to Norway to work in a local construction company. After requesting an employment contract from his then employer, he says he was dismissed on the day. Torbjørn Vereide in the Labor Party described the case as “hair-raising”. At the same time, Dagfinn Henrik Olsen (Frp) in the Storting’s labor and social affairs committee advocated stricter penalties for companies that engage in social dumping. Now the luck has turned for the Polish 22-year-old, when another company in Tromsø “stretched out a hand”, as he describes it. The new summer job in Norway that he has now got will have a lot to say for his finances in the coming year. In October, he will start studying physiotherapy in his home country. – The money I earn here amounts to much more than I would have earned in Poland these two months. And I hadn’t found a summer job down there at this time of the summer. The money will be used for everyday things, and will last throughout the academic year, he says. – Then I don’t have to take on an extra job, and can focus on my studies and myself. I don’t have to worry about where to live or what to eat. Szymon believes that seasonal workers are better served by using Norwegian platforms and staffing companies to find work. He himself says that he was recruited in Poland. – Do not look for a job in Norway through Polish companies. It is easier and safer to be in direct contact with Norwegian companies to ensure that the D-number, contract, insurance and so on are in order, he believes. Social dumping The term is often used when foreign workers receive less pay and work in more difficult conditions than Norwegian workers. Social dumping can involve lower hourly wages, absence of social security schemes, lack of overtime pay or poor safety in the workplace. The trade union movement believes that social dumping undermines both the wage system and the welfare society. The tariff board can decide whether the terms of the collective agreement shall apply to everyone who performs work regulated by the agreement, and is considered an important tool in the fight against social dumping. Nevertheless, social dumping is a fluid term, and what some call social dumping, others may describe as legitimate competition. Source: Great Norwegian Lexicon – Too little follow-up When Asbjørn Sandstrand of the Tromsø Betong Team heard about Szymon’s story, he contacted news and asked if he could talk to the young Pole. – It was sad that he had to come up here and work and put aside money for his studies, and then it went like this, he says. The two quickly came to an agreement, and last week Szymon started as a seasonal worker in the company. The employer has also arranged accommodation for him. Asbjørn Sandstrand in Tromsø Betong Team took the initiative to hire Szymon after learning what had happened earlier this summer. Photo: Knut Anders Finnset / news Sandstrand does not think what happened to Szymon is particularly unusual. – There are too many non-serious actors who are not followed up. But what others do is up to them. We have many foreigners working from many different countries. He believes that several cities, such as Tromsø, could need more follow-up than they currently receive. He cites the Norwegian Construction Industry Patrol as an example. Receives many inquiries Vidar Sagmyr, who is project manager in the Construction Industry’s Uropatrulje, says many foreign seasonal workers who contact them do not know their rights. – They are very vulnerable to unscrupulous employers. There are bandits out there who see a benefit in making money off them. Vidar Sagmyr is project manager in the Construction Industry’s Uropatrulje. Photo: Bent Lindsetmo / news At the same time, the younger generation of Eastern Europeans is more difficult to exploit, he says. This is something that the organization Fair Play Bygg has also pointed out. – They are more resourceful and, for example, know other languages much better than the generations before them, says Sagmyr. – We have also received inquiries from agriculture, where people realize that they are being deceived. But at the same time, they want to work and earn as much as possible while they are here, and may not want to risk being left behind unless they spoke up. Sagmyr also believes that the construction industry has gained an undeserved bad reputation for having many unscrupulous players who take advantage of the workers. According to him, the construction industry is dominated by serious companies with skilled craftsmen, although one can get a different impression through the media. – The negative reports are bad news for recruitment in an industry that is serious and needs many new professionals in the coming years. At the same time, it is of course important to focus on criminal actors, so the balancing act here is difficult. This is what you as a consumer should do This is what the Swedish Tax Agency, the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority and Fair Play Bygg think you as a consumer can do to prevent social dumping and workplace crime: Check if the company is serious, if it is registered in Brønnøysund and in the VAT register. Get a written offer for the work to be carried out, and agree in advance at what price. Pay via bank. When you pay for services via bank, it becomes more difficult to evade taxes and duties Talk to the employees. Check that employees carry HSE cards Ask for and feel free to check references from others who have used the business Ask for an invoice so that you have confirmation of what you are paying for As regards the company that Szymon reported to the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority, that case is still being worked on at the latter, says section leader Trond-Henry Skjønsfjell. – We are following up the business, but we cannot say anything about any findings or reactions for the time being as there is still a lot of work to be done. This will be assessed when we have completed all supervisory activity and completed a supervisory report. Sandstrand in Tromsø Betong Team hopes that Szymon will come several summers to work for them. So far, they are both delighted with the working relationship. – I think this will be a win-win situation for both parties, says Sandstrand. Asbjørn Sandstrand in Tromsø Betong Team ensured that the future student got a new summer job. Photo: Knut Anders Finnset / news
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