ABSTRACT
This chapter critically examines regulatory challenges in the construction industry, laying the groundwork for subsequent discussions on developments in the UK and Finland. Neoliberal trends have led to 'regulated self-regulation' mechanisms, with companies emphasising 'corporate social responsibility' regarding labour exploitation, environmental practices, consumer protection, and work safety. Despite positive rhetoric, evidence suggests limited success in addressing construction-related harms. We explore Finland's harm reduction approach through strict state regulation and unionisation, while the UK experiences a neoliberal assault on these pillars, advocating reduced state oversight for capital accumulation. While the Finnish system appears more meaningful in mitigating harms, both socio-democratic and neoliberal states exist within the same capitalist continuum. The flexibilisation of labour markets negatively impacts trade union membership, while decentralised collective bargaining undermines Finnish harm reduction structures.
