Trade Union JHL

Recommendation on preparedness and pay during a drone threat for municipalities, wellbeing services counties and KT’s companies

The central labour market organisations published their recommendation concerning drone threats on 12 June. Both employee and employer organisations and two ministries were involved in preparing the recommendation. The social partners have prepared guidelines on paying wages during a drone threat for the sectors represented by Local Government and County Employers KT.

Workplaces have provided a recommendation concerning drone threats.

The recommendation is based on the situation in summer 2026, where armed drones may occasionally stray to Finland and the rescue authorities may issue an emergency warning because of that. The instructions in the authorities’ emergency warning must be followed.

There are, however, functions in society that are so critical that their disruption during an emergency warning could immediately threaten people’s lives or health. The guidelines include recommendations for securing such functions while an emergency warning applies

Recommendation on paying the employees of municipalities, wellbeing services counties and KT’s member companies

The employee confederations recommended paying the employees’ wages in situations where an employee is unable to perform their work because the authorities have issued an emergency warning about a drone threat.

Local Government and County Employers KT has also recommended that employees should be paid in situations described in the recommendation.

If an employer has not paid the wages to employees who were absent due to the emergency warning on 15 May 2026, KT recommends that this is rectified.

“It’s important that KT’s sectors got quickly guidelines that confirm the obligation to pay wages and outline emergency preparedness. Another important thing is that emergency preparedness plans should be reviewed with personnel representatives. Local agreements are not needed at this point, and we operate under collective agreements”, stresses Trade Union JHL’s Bargaining Director Kristian Karrasch.

Discussing the recommendations in municipal and welfare sector workplaces

KT and JAU, JUKO and SOTE recommend that employers familiarise themselves with the social partners’ recommendation and discuss instructions for drone threat situations with personnel representatives.

Instructions and procedures for drone threat situations must be discussed in workplaces in advance. The recommendations include examples of matters that need to be discussed between the employer and the personnel. The goal should be a consensus between the employer and the personnel.

KT and the principal negotiating organisations want to draw attention in workplaces especially to change of work shifts, critical mobile work and availability or early childhood education and care services.

Continuity of critical functions during an emergency warning for a drone threat should be secured in the first place by extending the work shifts of those employees who are at the workplace during the dangerous situation.

Necessary changes in the work shifts can be made in accordance with the collective agreements and employment contracts. For example, staying at work when the work shift should change needs to be agreed with the employee.

It is also possible to apply the emergency work provisions of the Working Time Act if the conditions for that are met. When work is done as emergency work, the occupational safety and health authorities need to be notified without delay.

KT and the principal negotiating organisations will review and supplement sector-specific instructions in August if needed. Instructions will also be supplemented on agreement sector level if needed.

Ministries, Traficom, the rescue authorities and the Association of Finnish Cities and Municipalities have issued their own instructions for drone threats. Workplaces should familiarize themselves with the guidance and recommendations issued by the authorities.

More information on actions during a drone threat