The forest sector requires a substantial number of skilled professionals each year to carry out a wide range of forest management tasks. As in many other industries, the domestic labour force is no longer sufficient to meet this demand. Consequently, the importance of foreign seasonal labour has grown—particularly in the early stages of forest management, such as seedling planting and young stand management.

The increasing cooperation between partners and service providers highlights the importance of responsible and transparent operations. It is essential to ensure that common rules are followed throughout the entire implementation chain, workers’ rights are respected, and working conditions remain safe and fair. Our goal is to strengthen professional competence, secure the availability of labour, and ensure that responsibility is consistently upheld at every stage of the work process.

Information sharing at the core of responsible operations

We promote responsible practices by sharing clear and up-to-date information with forest sector stakeholders. We aim to increase awareness of labour legislation, and the roles of different parties involved in the implementation of work. In cooperation with the forest sector working group led by the Centre for Occupational Safety, we have developed practical guides for employers, contractors, and workers.

Rights and responsibilities of employers and contractors

This guide is intended for companies employing foreign workers in forest, forestry machinery, and tree nursery sector jobs. Its purpose is to promote fair competition between companies and ensure compliance with employment conditions. The guide helps companies verify that their partners meet their statutory obligations as employers and contractual parties.

The guide outlines key requirements such as work permits, notification obligations, occupational safety, wages, social security, and taxation. It also emphasizes the importance of complying with collective labour agreements and forest certification standards. Under the Act on the Contractor’s Obligations and Liability, all contractors — both Finnish and foreign — must ensure that their partners operate in compliance with the law, whether through subcontracting or temporary agency work.

Rights and responsibilities of workers

This guide is intended for foreign workers employed in the forest, forestry machinery, and tree nursery sectors in Finland. It provides essential information on working conditions, residence permits, employment contracts, social security, occupational safety, wages, and taxation.

The fundamental principle is that foreign workers must be treated on equal terms with Finnish workers. In addition to national legislation, industry-specific collective agreements and forest certification standards must also be followed.