About this course

Labour exploitation of migrant workers is a pressing concern in the Nordic region. It involves poor employment conditions, underpayment, excessive working hours, unsafe environments, and limited alternatives for workers to improve their situation. Exploitation is a low-risk, high-gain crime that often occurs in labour-intensive sectors such as cleaning, construction, transport, restaurants, agriculture, and forestry.

This workshop provides practical tools and strategies to detect and address labour exploitation. Participants will learn how to identify persons at risk, conduct workplace interviews, recognise key indicators, and take appropriate steps for referral and support.

Main topics

• Labour exploitation in the Nordic context: background,
  definitions, legal frameworks, and case examples
• The role of labour inspectors and oversight actors in addressing exploitation
• Key indicators to detect labour exploitation
• Inspection methods, interviewing techniques, and approaches to
  encountering persons at risk (including theory and practical exercises)
• Referral of victims to service providers and the police
• Case studies on multi-agency cooperation between labour inspectors, trade unions, and police

Course objectives

The workshop will provide participants with:

• Increased awareness of labour exploitation in the Nordic context.
• Practical skills in inspection methods and use of checklists for
  detecting, identifying, and interviewing persons at risk in workplaces.
• Guidelines for referring victims of labour exploitation to support
  services and the police.

By the end of the workshop, participants will be better equipped to detect cases of labour exploitation and protect persons at risk, contributing to stronger investigations and reduced impunity for perpetrators.

Target group

The course is intended for labour inspectors and other inspection authorities, including law enforcement. It is also relevant to labour market parties, civil society actors, researchers, and policy makers who encounter migrant workers in workplaces in the Nordic countries.

Subject background

Labour exploitation is one of the most frequent forms of work-related crime in the Nordic region, alongside tax fraud. It disproportionately affects vulnerable migrant workers in sectors such as cleaning, catering, agriculture, construction, shipyards, logistics, and transport. Research shows that exploitation is embedded in the structures of the economy and labour market, with migrant workers often concentrated in dirty, dangerous, and demeaning jobs.

Despite government strategies to combat exploitation, few cases are detected or investigated. Strengthening identification skills is therefore essential. This workshop equips inspectors, oversight authorities, and labour market actors with the knowledge and tools needed to recognise, address, and prevent labour exploitation in Nordic working life.

General course fee and cancellation information

The courses and workshops vary in price. Please note that the course fee does not cover meals or accommodation. The course fee and day-package fee are invoiced after the registration deadline.

Travel arrangements

Please refrain from booking any travel tickets until we have confirmed the course. The confirmation, which will be sent at the latest after the registration deadline, will include detailed information on the payment of the course fee and day-packages, as well as information on practical arrangements. Please note that you are not insured by NIVA.

Accessibility and Inclusion

Our venues for organising courses have carefully considered accessibility to ensure they cater to the needs of all participants. For detailed information about the hotel’s accessibility features, go to the hotel’s website on accessibility.

Cancellation policy

Cancellations received by 22nd of February 2026: full refund
Cancellations received by 23rd of February 2026 or later: no refund

NIVA will issue an invoice or send information on how to pay the course with credit card (depending on the option chosen in the registration form) after the registration deadline.

The price is subject to minor changes.

Contact persons

Course leaders

Dr. Natalia Ollus
Director
HEUNI
natalia.ollus@om.fi

Anniina Jokinen
Senior Programme Officer
HEUNI
anniina.jokinen@om.fi

In practical matters, please contact:

Nora Tobiasson
Project Manager at NIVA
email: nora.tobiasson@niva.org