Jobless Finns get poor social benefits: ECSR

The minimum level of social security benefits enjoyed in Finland by the people over 45 who have been laid off and depend on labour market subsidy and general housing allowance is insufficient, stated the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) on Tuesday.

The assessment is made based on a comparison between the national average income and the levels of labour market subsidy in 2014 and the average general housing allowance paid in 2013, said an official press release.

The ECSR deemed the level of minimum benefits too low to cover the basic needs of the beneficiaries as required by the European Social Charter. The decision is based on two benefits – the basic amount of income support and the calculated average housing allowance. It does not take into account the basic social assistance and any possible supplementary components.

But, Finland feels that in examining the sufficiency of the minimum income protection in this country, the ECSR should take into account the social security system as a whole, which contains benefits both in cash and in kind, such as services, payment ceilings, and concessions in client fees. Cash benefits are composed of labour market subsidy and, as regards to housing allowance and social assistance, an assessment is made of the beneficiary’s personal need for financial support.

The ECSR’s conclusion will next be tabled before the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

The European Social Charter is an international agreement that guarantees the realisation of social rights in Europe. The rights set out in the charter shall be guaranteed by the state parties for all the people under their jurisdiction without any discrimination. The compliance with the charter is monitored by two mechanisms – reviewing the national reports drawn up by the state parties and the collective complaints lodged by social partners and other non-governmental organisations to the ECSR.