Finland Times

Fjäder told the Finnish language daily Keskisuomalainen that higher wages of Akava members do not in any way contribute to the weak export competitiveness.

The income of highly educated people in the country corresponds to the European average, he said.

The average income of a member represented by Akava in 2014 was 4,340 euros per month, which in the main competitor countries such as Germany and Sweden was 4,590 and 3,500 respectively.

In Switzerland, for instance, the highly educated enjoy over 7,000 euros per month in wages.

“The fundamental economic problem in Finland is not the salary scale, but rather a too narrow export sector whose products are too cheap. The value added on the products should be raised,” said Fjäder.