The Labour Inspectorate has found suspicious behaviour and signs of exploitation of minors in the actions of young people collecting donations in support of Ukraine on the streets of Tallinn. :format(webp)/nginx/o/2024/08/18/16297236t1h6334.jpg)
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The Labour Inspectorate has found suspicious behaviour and signs of exploitation of minors in the actions of young people collecting donations in support of Ukraine on the streets of Tallinn.
In connection with the reports received by the Labour Inspectorate, the agency's inspectors checked compliance with the requirements of legislation regulating the working conditions and labour relations of minors working on the streets of Tallinn.
Namely, 14-17 year old children from Ukraine collect donations from passers-by in piggy banks in Tallinn. The purpose of the donations is allegedly to buy ambulances for Ukraine and support families arriving in Estonia from Ukraine.
However, the Labour Inspectorate suspects that the money is being collected for the wrong purposes and that SA Help Palm is deliberately recruiting a more vulnerable target group. Underage workers are often in a much more vulnerable position and can easily become victims of fraud.
According to information received by the Labor Inspectorate, minors are forced to lie that they are not paid for their work and that they are doing the work of their own free will. However, when talking to the children, it turned out that in fact they also receive a certain percentage of the collected donations. Thus, minors are encouraged to work longer in order to receive higher wages.
According to the Labour Inspectorate, concealing the fact that a certain portion of the money collected as donations is paid to children in cash raises legitimate doubts about the transparency of the use of donations.
"These minors were recruited through Facebook ads, so we recommend that parents always find out where their child works and as whom. If you notice such ads, please also report them to the Labor Inspectorate," the agency writes on the Tööelu portal.
The Labor Inspectorate has banned SA Help Palm from employing minors.
The Inspectorate urges anyone wishing to make a donation to check the information to avoid fraud and ensure that support actually reaches those in need.
"If you notice minors at work and have doubts about their working conditions, report this to the Labour Inspectorate. You can report it by writing to [email protected]," the agency writes.
