The largest wage theft in Norway's history? Court rules in multi-million case
The managing director of a company in the Salten region was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison for failing to pay employees NOK 2.3 million. The money included wages due and overtime pay. According to Norwegian authorities, this is the largest wage theft case since new regulations were introduced in 2022.
The largest case of its kind in Norway. Company manager sentenced over NOK 2.3 million.
Fot. Adobe Stock, licencja standardowa
The verdict is now final. In the second half of October, the court of appeal decided not to hear the case again, Nordland police reported. The proceedings concerned violations of wage regulations. It was established that employees had not received all the money owed to them over an extended period.
Inspection revealed irregularities. Investigation launched
The case began in May 2025. The Centre for Combating Work-Related Crime in Nordland (a-krimsenteret) inspected the company after receiving information from the tax patrol of the Norwegian Tax Administration (Skatteetaten). Inspectors discovered irregularities. The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (Arbeidstilsynet) then reported the case to the police, who opened an investigation.
Investigators analysed the employees' settlements. They found that the people employed had not received the minimum wage due to them or compensation for overtime work. The total amount of arrears was NOK 2.3 million. During the investigation, police cooperated with Skatteetaten and Arbeidstilsynet, making it possible to use the resources and expertise of both institutions.
Investigators analysed the employees' settlements. They found that the people employed had not received the minimum wage due to them or compensation for overtime work. The total amount of arrears was NOK 2.3 million. During the investigation, police cooperated with Skatteetaten and Arbeidstilsynet, making it possible to use the resources and expertise of both institutions.
1. NOK 2.3 million withheld from employees. Norwegian court points to what determined the sentence.Photo: Adobe Stock, standard licence
Court points to circumstances of the crime. Authorities comment on verdict
When imposing the sentence, the court took into account the amount of unpaid benefits. It also noted the lengthy period of violations and the systematic exploitation of employees in a vulnerable situation. Prosecutor Trond Lakselvhaug stressed the importance of the verdict. He also explained that cooperation between the police and supervisory institutions made it possible to conduct the investigation faster and more efficiently than police action alone would have allowed.
Minister of Labour and Inclusion Kjersti Stenseng commented on the case. In her view, the verdict shows that Norwegian authorities' efforts against employment-related crime are producing results. The minister stressed that work in Norway should be safe regardless of the industry or the employee's background. Meanwhile, the head of a-krimsenteret, Kurt Kolvereid Jakobsen, emphasised that profiting financially at the expense of employees in a vulnerable situation is unacceptable.
Minister of Labour and Inclusion Kjersti Stenseng commented on the case. In her view, the verdict shows that Norwegian authorities' efforts against employment-related crime are producing results. The minister stressed that work in Norway should be safe regardless of the industry or the employee's background. Meanwhile, the head of a-krimsenteret, Kurt Kolvereid Jakobsen, emphasised that profiting financially at the expense of employees in a vulnerable situation is unacceptable.
Wage theft was recognised as a crime in Norway in 2022. So far, relatively few judgments have been handed down under these provisions. Recently, the Supreme Court of Norway (Høyesterett) ruled that particularly serious cases of wage theft may be punished more severely than other property offences because they directly threaten employees' livelihoods.
How do you rate this article?
