Finland Times

 

Public and Welfare Sectors JHL President Jarkko Eloranta, at a meeting at Helsinki on Monday. Photo – Str / Lehtikuva.

Public and Welfare Sector Federation (JHL) President Arkko Eloranta said the government- stipulated time frame for searching alternative ways of saving the economy is not a fruitful starting point.

 

“Building up a real negotiation process requires that these issues are swept off the table, and we can find some common solutions,” he said.

 

Prime Minister Juha Sipilä has requested alternative proposals from the labour organisations on how to avoid the government-proposed drastic measures by September 30 at the latest.

 

Eloranta is JHL representative on the SAK subcommittee which is gathering the perspectives of trade unions.

 

“Of course, it is in our interest to find an alternative to the government’s threats, because they affect, particularly among our membership, the public sector’s low-paid female staff.” Eloranta was referring to holidays, salary benefits and sick leave, which are targets in the government cuts.

 

He is suspicious of the employers’ negotiations, as the government’s plans are far more generous for them. 

 

Eloranta has told the representatives of the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK) and municipal employers that they should create a comprehensive package which integrates issues such as competitiveness and the collective bargaining resolution as well as reform of the labour market.

 

“Should we consider these social solutions only after TYKA (Employment and Growth Pact) comes to an end? Indeed, in the coming collective bargaining round, it is surely a very important issue in terms of the success of the government’s economic policy,” Eloranta maintained.

 

The SAK working committee is preparing an agenda to present to the government, whom it meets on Thursday.