A recent documentary titled På statens regning (On the State’s Dime) by Danish broadcaster DR has revealed a significant issue of wage fraud involving migrant workers on public construction projects in Denmark.
The documentary focuses on workers from Albania who are employed on major public construction sites, including the Storstrøm Bridge, Odense University Hospital, and Zealand University Hospital in Køge. These workers are part of a program known as the “pay limit scheme,” which guarantees foreign workers a salary of 40,000 kroner per month.
However, the documentary uncovers how many of these workers are required to pay a portion of their wages back to their employer in Albania. Workers have been instructed to return parts of their salaries, despite being entitled to the full amount under Danish law. This practice violates labor regulations and has sparked concern among authorities.
The workers involved are part of a group employed under the pay limit scheme, which mandates they earn at least 487,000 kroner annually. Some workers, however, report that they only receive a fraction of this amount, with parts of their wages being deducted and sent back to Albania. In some cases, the workers have paid back thousands of kroner each month.
The documentary features hidden camera footage that documents these practices. The footage shows an anonymous worker meeting with an accounting employee from the Albanian company Tekno Fire, who instructs the worker to return 15,000 kroner of his salary.
Employment Minister Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen has expressed concern after viewing the footage, stating that such practices are illegal and should not occur, particularly on public construction sites. In response to the allegations, the construction company Itinera, the main contractor for the projects, suspended its cooperation with Tekno Fire, the subcontractor employing the workers.
The investigation also raises questions about the effectiveness of the oversight of the pay limit scheme. Lars Krull, a researcher at Aalborg University, noted that companies may use these practices to reduce labor costs and remain competitive on public tenders.
The Danish Road Directorate, responsible for the Storstrøm Bridge construction, has also expressed concern, with the potential for a police investigation if the fraud is confirmed.
The documentary På statens regning highlights the need for stronger regulation and oversight to prevent such issues in the future.
