500 staffers to face termination | national

Thu, 04 Apr, 2013 02:41:03 AM

Reforms in defence forces

FTimes-STT Report, April 4

About 500 civil employees of the Finnish Defence Forces are facing termination threat under the new reform policy brought in the service.

The first phase of terminations is likely to take place by end-June. In addition, about 250 employees will be sent to retirement by 2015.

Armed Forces sources said the number of staff would be slashed by around 2,100 from present 14,400 by 2015.

The dismissals will take place first in the financial management, staff and logistic tasks departments.

National Defence Staff Association MPHL Chairman Marja-Leena Karekivi termed the looming dismissals unfortunate.

Defense Minister Carl Haglund described the size of the defence force as “very

challenging”, and a major challenge in personnel reduction.

He, however, said that the number of redundancy was not as high as some people feared. The minister said the reform would save EUR 90 million.

Finland Times