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As it is reported on UNI's Finnish affiliate TU website, Teleoperator DNA abuses its agency-hired labour. The Union of Salaried Employees TU has found outrageous violations of the hourly work and annual leave legislation and the collective agreement.

In the last few months, TU interviewed about half of the employees working at the over 65 outlets of DNA Kauppa. A majority of those interviewed were from 18 to 25 years of age. The employees sell connections and mobile telephones for the operator.

Most of the DNA Kauppa employees come from agency-hired labour that is provided by two companies Argenta Oy and Celectus Oy. DNA Kauppa is fully owned by DNA. All DNA employees are covered by TU's ICT collective agreement. However, the employer deliberately applies- for part of its agency-hired personnel -a collective agreement that is less favourable to the employees.

Agency-hired labour is obliged to work from 0 to 80 hours per week. "The hourly wage varies from EUR6 to EUR9. It means that even among those who work full-time it is rare to earn from EUR900 to EUR 1,400 per month", says Arto Heikkilä, who is responsible for the ICT industry at TU.

No allowances, no breaks

Personnel are not paid allowances as they should be or compensated for overtime and employees do not enjoy mandatory breaks. Employees may be obliged to work two consecutive shifts, without prior notice, and still be paid for only one shift.

"The personnel may work, in a week, a full day without compensation. Nor is everybody allowed the opportunity to take the leave that they are entitled to", Heikkilä says.

At the end of the work shift DNA shop assistants may be obliged to clean the outlet from floor to ceiling, although it does not belong to their tasks.They have to count the cash and to bring it to the bank in their own time and at their own expense. The mandatory compensation for finishing the workday and for overtime is not paid.

Employees do not dare rebel against these unfair and illegal demands made by employer for fear they will be penalised and suffer a cut in their weekly working hours, and thus end up with only a few hours work Heikkilä says. According to Heikkilä the employer plays on the ignorance of young employees when it comes to their rights and the legislation.

"Height of arrogance"

DNA Kauppa represents the height of arrogance in the unhealthy way operators compete with each other, says Tuovi Orpana, the director of TU's service sector. "It is shameless that a big company makes its profit by exploiting the ignorance and fears of young people", she says.

According to Orpana, DNA claims to have nothing to do with the treatment of its agency-hired labour.

TU is insisting the employers' association TIKLI intervene in this matter. TU has also contacted the occupational health and safety authorities. On June 4 the TU board will handle the case at DNA Kauppa and decide on the necessary action to immediately rectify the situation.