Trade unions across world censure govt for labour market reforms

Trade unions across the world expressed concern over the labour market reforms and cuts in working condition undertaken by the Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party-NCP) led four-party alliance government.

Pekka Ristelä, Head of International Affairs of the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK), said that trade unions are particularly appalled at the precipitous nature of reforms planned by the government, said the SAK in a press release on Tuesday.

SAK has received several dozen expressions of support from trade unions and labour organisations, and from union federations in various sectors around the world.

Support has come not only from European countries, but also from Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

These letters of solidarity are a traditional way of showing international cooperative support in conflict.

Ristelä explained that while this support is no surprise under the current serious circumstances, the sheer number of messages and the diversity of their senders has exceeded normal expectations.

Contact has mainly come in the form of letters, but many leaders of trade unions and international labour federations have also taken to the X messaging service in order to express a public stand on the violation of employee rights.

“The fiercest criticism is reserved for the way in which the government is implementing reforms without genuinely negotiating with the trade union movement. This contrasts starkly with the established reputation of Finland,” Ristelä added.

Criticism has been heard from many trade unions that operate under difficult conditions for employees in their own countries. These include letters of support and protest from the PIPSEA public sector union in the Philippines and the Malawian union that represents food industry workers.

The Seafarers’ Union of Turkey (TDS) even addressed its letter to Finland’s Ambassador in that country.

“The precipitous nature of the reforms is shocking. Many trade union activists feel that if something like this can happen in Finland, then the achievements of organised labour may be threatened everywhere,” Ristelä said.

The Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) and its affiliated unions on April 4 decided to suspend their strikes.