Trade Union JHL: Employees must get paid when the authorities instruct people to stay at home in the event of a drone threat

Legislation needs to be changed urgently in Finland so that employees can feel financially secure in exceptional situations. JHL will start negotiations with employer associations as soon as possible about how the obligation to pay salaries and wages in exceptional situations should be determined.

On 15 May, the rescue authorities issued an emergency warning affecting the Uusimaa region, in which people were clearly instructed to stay indoors.

The warning was issued because the authorities suspected that a dangerous drone may be moving in the area.

The standpoint of employer association the Confederation of Finnish Industries is that employers do not have to pay salary or wages to employees who obeyed the authorities and did not come to work.

The President of Trade Union JHL Håkan Ekström strongly disagrees.

“Employees must get paid when they stay at home because the authorities have told them to do so. The legislation and terms and conditions of employment have to be reviewed urgently so that employees’ income in exceptional situations is secured.”

JHL will start negotiations with employer associations as soon as possible about how the obligation to pay salaries and wages in exceptional situations should be determined. Our goal is to protect the union members and their income.

Ekström stresses that following the authorities’ instructions must not be a financial risk for an employee.

“At worst, this can result into people not following the instructions. Trust of the citizens is critical in a crisis.”

The current legislation does not answer unambiguously enough to the question in what kind of exceptional situations an employer can refuse to pay salary or wages. Trade Union JHL monitors the situation and is prepared to seek a decision on the matter in court if unresolved disagreements about paying salaries and wages arise.

“Politicians cannot dodge responsibility”

The authorities’ collaboration, communication and leadership in crisis have to work when a serious emergency warning is issued in Finland.

There was room for improvement in everything.

People had to rely on information from the media when the 112 app did not function properly.

Furthermore, collaboration between municipalities, wellbeing services counties, the central government and employers failed in several places.

“Politicians cannot dodge responsibility. One of the key duties of the government is to secure the life and health of the population in all circumstances.

The structures have to be in place

Enough attention has not been paid to employees when crisis preparedness has been discussed in Finland.

Municipalities and wellbeing services counties need structures where the directors, personnel and political decision makers develop preparedness together.

More information:
Håkan Ekström, President of JHL, 040 828 2865