JHL (27.03.2015 - Heikki Jokinen) JHL is taking a proactive role in the forthcoming Finnish parliamentary elections. It is pushing for very clear policy commitments from the new parliament and has been most active in stimulating political debate and other activities around the country. At least 126 JHL members are standing as candidates for the next parliament.
The JHL election campaign is centred round support for the welfare state and public services. Public services, taxation, working life and security are the four planks of this campaign.
JHL’s campaign goes to great lengths to drive home the fact that good and comprehensive public services serve to maintain a secure and unified society. And this is the backbone of competitive Finland and key when it comes to supporting business and employment.
We should remember that the public service sector employs half a million Finns. These services offer all citizens the opportunity to join working life, especially women.
”Public services are for citizens, not for business. In order to make the best use of tax money in Finland, public services should be produced by the public sector. The closing down and privatisation of public services must come to a halt. Quality, and public accountability are more important than a cheap price”, says JHL chairperson Jarkko Eloranta.
JHL’s election literature reminds us that the main task of taxation is to finance public services and to level income differences. Taxes should be set to a level that makes these goals a reality.
Finland lives off work, survives and thrives through work, and JHL wants and is demanding all work to be treated fairly. Everyone needs and deserves a living wage. Serious attention needs to be paid to those working in short time employment, as hired labour or anyone with zero-hours contracts.
JHL is deeply committed to Finland remaining a safe and secure country for its citizens. To this end it is vital that sufficient resources to public services be sustained so as to ensure Finland can continue to take pride in its reputation for being one of the worlds’ most competent and least corrupt countries. Services that are crucial for people's safety and health should de carried out by the public sector, not by private companies.
The number of JHL members standing as candidates for the next parliament is at a record high this year, at least 126. In the parliamentary elections in 2011 the number was 211. Of the 200 current sitting MPs 23 are JHL members.
The parliamentary elections will be held on April 19 of this year.
JHL parliamentary election web pages (in Finnish and Swedish)