Helsinki (20.10.2010 - Juhani Artto) It all began in spring 2009 with the then Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen's proposal to raise the minimum retirement age from 63 to 65 ... and ended up on Wednesday in a comprehensive programme by a tripartite committee on employment and economic growth. The programme consists of over 90 proposals, none of which touches on the minimum retirement age. The committee's task force on how to extend working careers will continue its work.
Representatives of all three parties -the government and the employer and employee organisations- were seemingly happy when presenting the report. Much of the findings will most probably be included in the next government programme, once a new government is formed after the April 2011 Parliamentary elections.
Lauri Lyly, the President of the union confederation SAK, was very satisfied and impressed with how the committee had focused attention on employment issues. Working careers can only be extended if there is sufficient demand for work, he points out.
Commenting on the report, Mikko Mäenpää, the President of the union confederation STTK, thanked the committee for addressing the dynamic factors of the economy and employment so thoroughly. The time to discuss how to share the results will come later, he says.