JHL (12.09.2013 - Heikki Jokinen) Most of the threatened cutbacks and reorganising of state research institutes were avoided, but many questions still remain open, says JHL’s Chief Executive Officer Päivi Niemi-Laine.
The Finnish Government has decided in principle to reorganise the research institutes, but the position being adopted now is different from the original plans criticized by JHL. The Geological Survey of Finland will remain independent. The National Institute for Health and Welfare and the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health will not merge, as previously planned.
JHL has been anxiously following the reorganisation of public research institutes but sees the Government decision as a step in the right direction.
"Preparing, deciding and executing political decisions must be based on research. In March 2013 the National Audit Office put the ministry on notice that it was relying too much on external consultancy work. Unnecessary mergers and closures of state research institutes would have been anathema to any unbiased decision makers and the profit would have gone into the pockets of consultancy firms", Niemi-Laine says.
It is not only politicians who need reliable public research, but also Finnish business. "It is especially positive to guarantee the continuity of the Geological Survey of Finland. It produces geological information, needed by both business and society in order to utilise natural resources in a controlled and sustainable way." Without this knowledge the anticipated growth of the Finnish mining industry would be difficult.
There are still many questions that have to be resolved. Some research institutes will be merged and money is needed so as to harmonise salaries and introduce necessary changes.
The Government has also decided to establish a major fund to finance public strategic research. Money for that will be gradually drawn or extracted from existing research institutional budgets.
"To cut research money from the budgets of research institutes and collect it together in one fund based on competition will inevitably mean insecurity for the financing and personnel policy of the institutions. There need to be guarantees that any changes ensure a smooth transition in the work being carried out by the institutions and the avoidance of unnecessary redundancies."
JHL will not accept dumping of terms of employment in any form or a growing number of short time or fixed term jobs. "A motivated staff is needed in order to guarantee high quality research in the times ahead.", Niemi-Laine stresses. "This is only possible with good cooperation and a responsible employer policy."
Heikki Jokinen
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