How fast-track workers are protected from bad employers

Employers that hire foreign workers though the fast-track employment programme are required to comply with rules regarding contracts, payment, documentation, etc.

To that end, these employers undergo four stages of inspection.

Firstly, they must apply for a fast-track license. This process seeks to ensure that the employer meets the basic requirements for hiring foreign workers.

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Secondly, once the employer has been issued a fast-track license, this license must be renewed every year.

“This process consists of verifying compliance with the rules. In addition to the requirements in the initial application process, at this stage, the employer is required to submit pay slips for all workers hired through the fast-track programme,” explains Sólvá G. Dam, of the Immigration Office.

A third step consists of carrying out spot checks at workplaces where there are suspicions of non-compliance with the rules.

“Here, we look at whether the wages paid match the hours worked.”

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And then there are random, unannounced inspections of workplaces that employ foreign workers.

In these so-called social dumping spot checks, the police check residence permits, the Work Environment and Fire Safety Authority investigate working conditions while tax authority TAKS oversees the financial aspect.

These inspections were initiated in 2019, but due to Covid restrictions, they did not really get off the ground until earlier this year.

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“One of these inspection rounds took place earlier this year, another was last week and another two are scheduled for later this year. About ten workplaces are checked per round,” says Dam.

Some employers using the fast-track programme have been stripped of their fast-track license due to non-compliance with the rules. The number and identity of these employers have not been disclosed.

“Such decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. If we see failure to comply with the contracts and if we see other suspicious activities, we may decide to withdraw the employer’s fast-track license for at least 12 months.”

This article is based on a short radio interview.

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