At the end of February, the new construction site tax registry contained approximately 476,000 names. The new passes show a worker's name, employer and tax registration number.
Chief Inspector Sari Wulff of the national tax authority says that the number of people on the rolls of the building sector came as a surprise.
"We've been surprised at this figure, but it includes everyone who works on construction sites. That also means cleaners, guards, office personnel, possibly kitchen staff and those who just visit sites, for example, inspectors and such," Wulff explains.
Still growing
According to the Construction Workers' Union the size of the new registry does not accurately reflect the extent of the labour force in the building trade. The union notes that since registration started last September, people who have left the trade, or even left the country are still listed.
The main construction contractor is now responsible for checking the registration of any new worker on a site, whether employed directly or by a subcontractor. Over the next few weeks, regional officials, police and union representatives will be carrying out special checks to make sure that the system is being implemented.
As of the start of next year, contractors will be required to file monthly reports with tax officials about everyone who has set foot on a building site.
