First, the Albanian company Tekno Fire was suspended due to suspicions of wage fraud. Later, the main contractor for the Storstrøm Bridge announced that the company had been reinstated. However, the Danish Road Directorate has now made it clear that Tekno Fire is still not allowed on the construction site.
The Italian company Itinera initially sent Tekno Fire’s employees home after it was revealed that there had been wage fraud.
The Danish documentary “At the State’s Expense” uncovered that migrant workers were paying back a significant portion of their wages to their employer. On paper, it appeared that everything was in order and that the workers were receiving the wages they were entitled to in compliance with Denmark’s salary-based immigration scheme. This scheme requires a minimum monthly salary of 40,000 DKK, a threshold higher than Tekno Fire intended to pay. Allegedly, the company devised an illegal solution where workers were required to return part of their wages.
As a result, 270 Albanian workers were sent home from Itinera-led construction projects, including the Storstrøm Bridge, Odense University Hospital, and Zealand University Hospital in Køge. Combined, these projects have a total budget of 18 billion DKK.
Itinera conducted its own investigation into Tekno Fire and concluded with an acquittal.
“In Itinera’s view, the documentary does not prove that a kickback scheme exists at Tekno Fire,” said Barry Crouchman, Nordic Area Manager at Itinera.
Itinera carried out a survey among employees, which it claims clears Tekno Fire of wrongdoing. The survey was conducted by an external lawyer, with the Danish Road Directorate also present during the process.
However, the Danish Road Directorate disagrees with the acquittal. Therefore, Albanian workers remain absent from the construction site connecting Zealand and Falster.
“Itinera’s investigation into Tekno Fire has not changed the Road Directorate’s stance. Tekno Fire remains unwelcome on our construction site, a position we have communicated to the main contractor,” the Danish Road Directorate stated.
