Among members of the Union of Private Sector Professionals Erto, 90% support participation in a union demonstration outside working hours in Helsinki, a survey conducted in early October shows. Six per cent (6%) of respondents did not support participation, while four per cent (4%) did not express an opinion.
“Erto is committed to following the will of its members. The survey results clearly indicate that we are going to take an active part in the upcoming protest against labour market reform proposals this November. We encourage all our members to join us and bring their friends along," Chairman Juri Aaltonen says.
The Kohtuus kaikessa (Moderation in everything) rally, which will be held on the 18th of November at the Kansalaistori Square in Helsinki, is organised by the Finnish Confederation of Professionals STTK of which Erto and its member associations (Digmarit ry, Etry, Logistiikan toimihenkilöt ry, Talry, Soa ry, and Ystea ry) are a part.
"The country's government justifies these reform proposals by claiming they conform to the Nordic model. This is simply not true. These policies are the government’s own and will make Finland the most employee-hostile society in the Nordics," Aaltonen points out.
Government reforms are based partly on ideology
Aaltonen emphasises that Erto opposes weakening workers’ rights and calls for genuine cooperation and dialogue in the labour market. Employment rates and public finances can be improved without increasing social insecurity or poverty. The government proposals are seen as being unreasonable and unjust.
Weakening employees’ legal protections is unfair and will increase poverty, as the budget cuts will mostly affect low-income earners, including families with children and students. Despite trying to justify these reforms as increasing employment rates, some of the proposed changes are purely ideological and have no discernible positive impact on employment, he adds. For example, not being paid on the first day of illness does not create any new jobs.
"The biggest hurdles to employment are skills gaps, health and the fact that jobseekers and job vacancies are often not in the same region. The government tries to solve these problems by cutting unemployment insurance and funding for health services and ending adult education support. All these solutions simply make the problems worse and are dangerous signs for the future of Finland. We ask the Finnish government not to weaken social security and workers’ rights without just cause," Aaltonen .
STTK will organise bus transportation to and from major hubs. More details will be sent to Erto members on where to meet before the rally.
Sign up for the protest here (in Finnish) ›
