In Finland, salaries are usually determined in accordance with collective agreements: these agreements apply to nearly 90% of salary earners. Finland does not have a minimum wage law.  

If the employer is associated with an employers’ association, the employee adheres to the collective agreement established by their union. Employers who do not belong to an employer’s association adhere to the field’s generally binding collective agreement. If the field does not possess a generally binding collective agreement, the employee’s salary is defined as specified in the working contract. Unreasonable stipulations in the contract can be adjusted or disregarded.

During their employment in Finland, posted workers are paid minimum wages as specified in the field’s generally binding collective agreement. If the field does not have one, the employee is paid a typical and appropriate salary during their time in Finland, even if the foreign employer and the posted worker would have agreed on a salary that is substantially lower.

Collective agreements are generally binding in the construction field; cleaning field; hotel, restaurant and catering field; and in the agricultural industry (e.g., farming and berry-picking). Minimum wages and their determination regulations as specified in these contracts can be obtained by clicking on the links on the right.  

Generally binding collective agreements are available free-of-charge: please click on the link on the right.

Out of all EU countries, Finland’s salary earners retained the 10th highest available buying power in 2003. The Gross National Product per resident in the new EU countries is about half Finland’s equivalent.