JHL (25.09.2015 - Heikki Jokinen) Events and initiatives on the labour market discussion are changing very quickly now, writes JHL chairperson Jarkko Eloranta in his blog.
However, one thing is sure, he adds. Trade union members showed on September 18 what they think of proposed Government legislation to cut incomes for those earning very little. And in a similar measure the Government is taking steps to hinder any possibility for agreeing on better terms of work through collective bargaining.
The demonstration organised by the three trade union confederations Akava, SAK and STTK brought 30,000 people out on to the streets of Helsinki. Altogether, some 300,000 people came out in protest against the Government measures around the country.
The Government is planning to introduce legislation which would set an upper limit on extra pay for Sunday and overtime work. This level is lower than the one agreed on in collective agreements today. They will also shorten annual leave and eliminate two bank holidays.
Employers' representatives have been defending the measures saying that it is always possible to get better terms of work in a personal work contract.
”No one who works in the public health and social services or private care is going to buy this. This spurious claim is pure propaganda, but it actually reveals the ultimate goal and intention of the employers”, Eloranta says.
”In effect it means a system of individual work contracts where the job will be given to the one who sells his labour cheapest. Also, it smacks of a return to some kind of labour auction and the noxious power of masters, where a single worker has no rights or protection.”
But, there has to be a way forward. The best scenario would be if the employers, trade union movement and Government could come back to the negotiation table, in an effort to explore exactly what is happening, come to some understanding, and then finally agree upon what are the best solutions to the problems facing Finland, Eloranta stresses.
”Forcing through legislation is not the way to get a sustainable and trustworthy solution. What is needed is a genuine agreement that takes into account the goals and views of all parties.”
If the Government want the moderate pay rises of recent years to continue, it should be ready to negotiate on questions like the renewal of working life, local agreements and future collective agreements at the same time, Eloranta suggests.
This would give more stability for Government, moderate pay rises and peace in the labour market for employers and better conditions for employees to plan their future.