25 former employees of MK Tømrer AS have now been granted counsel for victims (bistandsadvokat) after Borgarting Court of Appeal overturned Oslo District Court's refusal. The workers have reported the company to the police for wage theft of more than NOK 1.3 million, relating to unpaid wages and holiday pay.
The Court of Appeal appointed Attorney Servet Yildiz Stêrk of Sterk Law Firm as counsel for all the victims.
– This is a very serious case. The District Court's assessment was difficult to understand, given the number of victims, the language barriers and the complexity of the case. The Court of Appeal's decision shows that these employees need protection and assistance to be able to safeguard their rights, says Attorney Servet Yildiz Stêrk.
The case mainly concerns foreign workers who are now without both wages and holiday pay for work carried out in the spring and summer of 2025. Several have had to seek payment through the state wage guarantee scheme, and the total claims exceed NOK 1.3 million.
The bankruptcy report from Advokatfirmaet Schjødt suggests that the bankruptcy may have been planned in order to avoid payment obligations. The allegations are being investigated as possible economic crime.
Sterk Law Firm is assisting the affected employees in cooperation with several organisations working against social dumping and work-related crime.
