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Working with partners and authorities to identify, prevent and adress labor exploitation
In construction, procurement and subcontracting chains are often multi-tiered, and can involve risks related to labor exploitation and the grey economy.
We have a zero tolerance for labour exploitation and the grey economy at YIT. We work to ensure that all our contractors operate responsibly.
How responsible subcontracting is reflected in practice
Our objective is that everyone working at YIT construction sites – regardless of employer or background – work in safe, fair and lawful conditions. This requires ensuring that shared principles are followed across all construction sites.
In practice, this includes:
- checking subcontractors’ background before starting cooperation
- including the requirements of the Act on the Contractor’s Obligations and Liability when Work is Contracted Out in contracts
- applying consistent operating practices at construction sites
- having clear procedures for handling concerns and suspicions
YIT has a strict subcontracting policy which limits the number of subcontracting tiers to 2. Each decision to use subcontracting requires prior written approval. Subcontracting is allowed past tier 2 only when highly specialized skills are required. We continuously monitor compliance with these practices and actively track indicators that may signal labour exploitation linked to our activities.
Identifying and preventing labor exploitation
We prevent labor exploitation through communication, guidance and training that help our employees and partners to identify risks.
Our construction sites display the “Preventing labor exploitation” poster, to raise awareness of workers’ rights and to guide action in suspected cases. The poster is available in several languages and is also available on our website for construction sector actors to use. We also cooperate with authorities and other stakeholders as needed to support early intervention.
We have also published an open guide for the construction sector on identifying labor exploitation and related actions. In addition, we have contributed to the development of shared industry practices, such as Building Information’s RT guidance document on preventing labor exploitation in construction, which supports common operating principles across the industry (available in Finnish and for a fee)
Addressing concerns
Any suspicions related to labor exploitation or other inappropriate practices are handled in accordance with our established procedures. Our aim is to ensure timely and appropriate action and to safeguard workers’ rights. When necessary, we cooperate with the authorities.
We provide an open reporting channel (a grievance mechanism) for employees, partners and other stakeholders. The channel can be used to report inappropriate treatment or misconduct and can be used also anonymously. Reports are handled confidentially in line with our procedures.
The Contractor’s Obligations Act
In Finland, the Act on the Contractor’s Obligations and Liability when Work is Contracted Out requires contractors in construction projects to ensure that subcontractors fulfil their statutory obligations, such as paying taxes and pension contributions and complying with applicable terms of employment. The Act aims to prevent the grey economy and promore fair working conditions in the construction industry.
We comply with the requirements of the Act in all our subcontracting agreements. We require Finnish subcontractors to be members of Vastuu Group’s Reliable Partner service.
Subcontractors from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland are required to be part of Vastuu Group’s Reliable Partner – ordering party liability information service. These services enable us to verify compliance with statutory obligations, including taxes, pension contributions and collective labor agreements.
This requirements is included in our tender request and subcontract agreement templates. If a company cannot join the service, we require equivalent information in line with the Act, based on certificates issued under the legislation of the country of establishment or other generally accepted means.
Principles guiding our work
SDG Goals
