This holiday season Trade Union JHL makes donations to Finnwatch and the Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters

This year JHL has decided to donate the Christmas card money to Finnwatch and the Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters, whose operations and services are threatened due to massive spending cuts.

The Finnish Goverment’s cutbacks limit the ability of both Finnwatch and the Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters to help and support people who need it most. This undermines society’s ability to respond to the challenges of the future.

By donating the Christmas card money to these organisations, JHL wants to show solidarity and support their important work. Every act of helping people who are in a vulnerable position is an investment in a better tomorrow!

A huge need for support and protection

The Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters is a nationwide non-governmental organisation that supports children and families who live in difficult and unsafe circumstances and works to prevent domestic violence.

The Government of Finland plans big cuts to government grants for social welfare and health organisations. These cuts would have a direct impact on the organisations’ low-threshold services, which can prevent problems from growing bigger and ease the workload of the public sector. The work of these organisations is valuable from both humane and financial perspective and its continuance must be secured.

– Donations from companies have a significant role in our continued work and our ability to provide help. In 2023 we helped with our member associations more than 21,000 children and parents who were in a difficult situation and sought for help. Thank you, JHL, for your contribution to making our work for children and families possible! says the Executive Director of the Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters, Oona Ylönen.

Finnwatch promotes responsible business conduct

Finnwatch is a non-governmental organisation that promotes ecologically, socially and economically responsible business conduct. The organisation brings to daylight human rights problems, adverse environmental impacts and tax dodging in business operations.

Finnwatch has also suffered from significant funding cuts. In previous years Finnwatch has received a grant of about 80,000 euros per year from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs for communications and global education projects, but this year the ministry did not open a new funding round for such projects. This decision was a new blow after the ministry’s earlier decision to end the general grant for Finnwatch and other organisations.

JHL finds support for organisations like Finnwatch vital for social justice and sustainable development.