Chinese workers become labour exploitation victims at Kotka factory

Police are investigating into a case of labour exploitation by a battery factory in Kotka, said an official press release on Friday.

The Helsinki Police launched the pre-trial investigation and suspected that workers who come from China to work at the battery factory have become victims of labour trafficking.

The police also suspect criminal activity in the arrangements related to the employees' entry into Finland.

The pre-trial investigation concerns the activities and personnel of a Finnish staffing agency and a Chinese client company.

The pre-trial investigation began on 10 September 2026. Prior to that date, the police had received reports from several sources concerning suspected labour exploitation.

The acts are suspected to have targeted a large group of Chinese workers at the factory who could only speak Chinese.

They did not have sufficient information about Finnish society, their rights, or their employer's obligations.

The police arrested nine people and four of them are currently in pre-trial detention in this connection.

Police investigating into the case on suspicion of the offences of trafficking in human beings and aggravated facilitation of illegal entry.