JHL (25.05.2018 - Heikki Jokinen) JHL, the Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors is also working for a decent working life globally. It promotes several projects in other parts of the world with the aim of improving employee rights to organise and negotiate collectively on the terms of employment.
An important partner in this work is the Trade Union Solidarity Centre of Finland SASK. The latter is the solidarity and development cooperation organisation of several Finnish trade unions which promotes decent work and core labour standards around the world.
The ongoing projects of JHL and SASK can be seen first hand at the World Village Festival in Helsinki May 26-27.
The festival is an annual free event in downtown Helsinki. Over the weekend, the festival offers so many opportunities to experience music, dancing, theatre, literature, food and topical discussions.
It is being hosted by Kepa, an umbrella organisation for over 300 citizens’ organisations and an expert organisation in the field of development. The festival attracts some 80,000 visitors each year.
This year the main topic of the festival is Africa. JHL is currently involved in a project with the aim of getting official status for trade unions in Mozambique. The country has a law that allows for public sector employees the right to organise. However, they are still not allowed the right to strike.
The public sector union SINAFP does not of yet have any official status, which makes its work difficult.
JHL is also a part of projects in the Philippines and Nepal. The project in Nepal focuses on improving the position of those working in health care.
JHL has a stand at the World Village Festival which presents its international work and projects.