Information contained in this publication is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or opinion, nor is it a substitute for the professional judgment of an attorney.
Browse through brief employment and labor law updates from around the globe. Contact a Littler attorney for more information or view our global locations.
New Legislation Eases the Use of Seasonal Workers and Internal Transfers of Workers
New Legislation Enacted
Author: Jukka Pello, Partner – Dottir Attorneys Ltd.
Effective January 1, 2018, Finland implemented the European Union directives 2014/36/EU and 2014/66/EU, via two acts. The first act (i.e., 907/2017) allows seasonal workers coming from outside the EU to work in an employment relationship for a maximum period of nine months, as long as the work is within the fields of agriculture and tourism. The second act (i.e., 908/2017) eases internal transfers of third-country employees within multinational companies by enabling employees with a working permit for another EU state to transfer internally and immediately start working in another EU state without the need to apply for a new working permit. Employees covered by the act include supervisors, managers, specialists and certain interns and trainees.
New Law Creates Income Information System
New Legislation Enacted
Author: Jukka Pello, Partner – Dottir Attorneys Ltd.
The act on the Income Information System (53/2016), creating a national electronic register (or database) for income information, became effective on January 16, 2018. Employers are obliged to report paid salaries, benefits and pensions to the Income Register, starting on January 1, 2019. The register shall be maintained by tax administration and accessible to various entities, such as public authorities and pension providers.
New EU Policy for Posted Workers
Precedential Decision by Judiciary or Regulatory Agency
Author: Jukka Pello, Partner – Dottir Attorneys Ltd.
The European Parliament, European Commission and European Council have agreed on reconstructing the status and position of posted workers inside the EU. The result of the negotiations is still to be ratified by the EU member states and by the European Parliament. Upon ratification, all posted workers working in an employment relationship are entitled to be paid equally inside the EU. In Finland this has already been a legal requirement.
New Guidance for Working Safely Abroad
New Regulation or Official Guidance
Author: Jukka Pello, Partner – Dottir Attorneys Ltd.
The Centre for Occupational Safety released new guidance for working safely abroad. The purpose of this material, which was released in January 2018, is to support organizations working in an international environment to help them in the evaluation of risks related to occupational health and safety when working abroad.
New Bill to Fully Implement GDPR
Proposed Bill or Initiative
Author: Jukka Pello, Partner – Dottir Attorneys Ltd.
The Data Protection Act (HE 9/2018), proposed on March 1, 2018, seeks to fully implement the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on a national level and replace the Personal Data Act (523/1999) and the Act on Data Protection Board and Data Protection Ombudsman (389/1994). The new Act is planned to take effect on May 25, 2018.