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21.05.2026 08:24

PAM imposes a job search blockade on Lapland safari company Nordic Unique Travels

The Service Union PAM has imposed an job search blockade on the Lapland-based company Nordic Unique Travels starting from 21 May 2026, due to the company’s repeated and deliberate violations of the collective agreement for the adventure services sector. – It’s a business model based on the exploitation of workers, says PAM Organisational Director Risto…

Kuvassa PAMin järjestöjohtaja Risto Kalliorinne kädet puuskassa ja katse suoraan kameraan, seisoo hämärässä aulatilassa seinän vieressä; ilme vakaa ja päättäväinen.

The job search blockade means that PAM members should not apply for jobs at the company. The decision also protects workers from mandatory waiting periods in unemployment security if they refuse a job offer from the company. At the same time, the job search blockade is a recommendation to all other workers to avoid Nordic Unique Travels Oy for as long as the ban remains in force.

Repeated and deliberate violations of collective agreement

Problems with the company began immediately after it was established in 2018. Year after year, Nordic Unique Travels has neglected to comply with the collective agreement for the adventure services sector and has improperly pressured employees into remaining silent about the company’s violations.

– Nordic Unique Travels’ operations demonstrate significant disregard for employees and expose them to workplace accidents and labour exploitation, says PAM Organisational Director Risto Kalliorinne, explaining the exceptional decision to impose a job search blockade on the company.

The problems have been continuous and have not been corrected despite repeated contacts, paid wage claims, and a supervisory letter sent to the employers’ association.

– This is not a matter of ignorance, but a business model based on exploitation. Most of the company’s 60–100 employees are seasonal workers recruited from abroad, says Risto Kalliorinne.

Between 2019 and 2026, PAM has handled 15 labour dispute cases involving the company. The disputes have mostly concerned unpaid or incorrectly paid wages and unclear grounds for termination of employment. In addition, PAM has received numerous reports every season regarding the company’s inappropriate practices.

In 2024, a safari guide died in a snowmobile accident. According to the occupational safety and health authority, Nordic Unique Travels had neglected risk assessment related to the accident. The company has also been featured in the media (Lapin Kansa, 11 May 2026), as former employees have spoken publicly about their treatment while working for the company.

Job search blockade remains in force until the company corrects its practices

Recruitment for the next season in Lapland is already underway, which is why the job search blockade takes effect immediately. The decision remains valid until PAM announces that the blockade has been lifted.

– The blockade will continue until all open disputes have been resolved, wage claims have been paid to all employees, and until the company convinces us that it will comply with the collective agreement for the adventure services sector and cease its anti-union activities.

Henna-Kaisa Turpeinen, PAM’s Regional Manager for Northern Finland, states that there are numerous issues in the company’s operations that need to be corrected: unpaid orientations disguised as courses, unfounded non-disclosure agreements, failure to pay wage supplements, neglect of rest periods and occupational safety, and continuous inappropriate treatment of employees.

To prevent labour exploitation, PAM has proposed among other things strengthening the resources and powers of authorities, tougher sanctions, criminalising underpayment, trade unions’ right to bring lawsuits, low-threshold legal remedies, and changes to contracting and procurement legislation.

Keywords:

Adventure services

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