JHL has published its goals for the parliamentary elections: Cracking down labour exploitation and restoring employees’ protection against dismissal

Trade Union JHL demands a change of course in the parliamentary elections in 2027. The world of work needs major corrective measures, and employment security has to be restored.

Trade Union JHL has published its key goals for the parliamentary elections in 2027.

The current Government of Finland has eroded employees’ security, and at the same time it has sought to remarkably increase labour flexibility to the benefit of the employers.

The Finnish world of work is at risk of getting into a downward spiral. Political decisions have undermined security particularly among low- and middle-income employees.

JHL has three key goals for the next parliamentary term. The objective is to make the world of work in Finland better rather than deteriorate it.

One of the key goals is preventing labour exploitation and shadow economy. Underpayment must be criminalised like it has been in Norway.

Trade unions must be given an independent right of action. It means that a trade union can bring an action to court on behalf of an employee. Contractor’s obligations and liability must be extended to the entire contracting chain, including liability for salaries and wages and for the terms and conditions of employment. The Contractor’s Liability Act must obligate a contractor to verify whether the work permits of foreign employees who work for a contracting partner are in order.

Improvements are needed urgently

The world of work needs more quality. Improvements are needed for example in occupational safety and health, supporting people’s ability to work, position of people with partial work ability, and pay transparency.

JHL proposes that the minimum compensation for unlawful termination of employment is increased to a sum equivalent of the employee’s six months’ pay. Grounds for termination of employment need to be clarified and tightened. This goes for both grounds related to the employee’s person and financial and production-related grounds.

The President of JHL Håkan Ekström explains that the union’s goals for the parliamentary elections are based on need for corrective actions.

“Corrective actions are needed urgently. Low- and middle-income families with children have been hit hardest by negative changes. Various measures are needed for improving their situation, and at the same time the Finnish world of work and labour market should return closer to those of the other Nordic countries”, Ekström says.

According to Ekström, the balance of flexibility and security in the world of work and the labour market that is characteristic of the Nordic countries has been disrupted in Finland during the current government term.

Neglecting occupational safety and health must result into more substantial sanctions for the organisation.

High-quality and comprehensive public services have to be secured. JHL proposes improving central government finances by pruning the business subsidy system, restoring property tax, continuing solidarity tax on wealth and doing an overall review of taxation of capital income, including for example plugging loopholes for tax planning.

More information:

President of JHL Håkan Ekström, 040 828 2865

Head of Public Affairs Vesa Mauriala, 040 530 9702