Govt accused of using falsehoods justifying labour market reforms

The Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) accused the Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party-NCP) led four-party alliance government of pointing out "falsehoods" justifying its moves to reform the labour market and cuts in working condition.

Pointing out 21 "falsehoods" used to justify reductions in working conditions, the trade union organization also made corrections to the points, said SAK on Tuesday.

It said that the Finnish Government is pursuing an unprecedented programme of major cuts in employee working conditions, rights and social welfare.

One justification given for these cuts is a need to boost employment, but no thorough employment impact assessments have been conducted, and instead we are merely hearing that the cuts are based on common sense and on a membership survey of the Federation of Finnish Enterprises.

“The Orpo-Purra Government has simply chosen to take sides, and it is not on the side of employees. The Government claims that everyone will be equally involved in rescuing the Finnish economy, while simultaneously granting tax breaks to the wealthy and cutting public expenditure. This government policy will hit the poorly paid and the unemployed. While the cuts are allegedly bringing public finances into balance, the tax rate will actually decrease. There is a mismatch between words and deeds,” said SAK in the statement.

The SAK made corrections to the 20+1 "falsehoods" where it said that although it was told government cuts in working conditions will not affect the everyday lives of employees, absolutely everyone working in Finland will be affected in one way or another by these changes.

Different trade unions were observing strikes protesting against the labour market reforms and cuts in working condition undertaken by the Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party-NCP) led four-party alliance government.

Three opposition parties in the parliament on February 16 tabled a no-confidence motion against the four-party alliance government over the ongoing labour market unrest in the country.