Better working conditions

Finland's trade unions have helped to establish a system of basic rights for employees that protects them in the event of unemployment or illness and that secures their standard of living in old age. This system includes an earnings-related benefit scheme that provides some 50-70 per cent income support in the event of unemployment. The annual holidays, maternity leave and other parental benefits and employment pensions enjoyed by employees in Finland are likewise the outcome of sustained lobbying work by the trade union movement.

The trade unions have been actively involved in improving the law on hours of work, working conditions and industrial safety. They have also negotiated collective agreements that improve employee working conditions and job satisfaction in many industries.

The main work of the trade unions nowadays is to negotiate collective agreements establishing rates of pay, working hours, holidays and other terms of employment in specific industries. Contrary to popular belief, there is no statutory minimum wage in Finland. Instead, the minimum wages and pay scales applied in various industries are specified in the relevant collective agreements. These minimum wage standards apply equally to Finnish and foreign employees. Bonuses must be paid for Sunday work and for work under other special circumstances specified in the collective agreement.