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Home NATIONALStubb plays down extension of working hours
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Tue, 19 Aug, 2014 12:07:46 AM
FTimes-STT Report, August 19
 
Prime Minister and Chairman of the ruling Kokoomus Alexander Stubb was addressing in Hyvinkää on Monday. Photo Lehtikuva.
Prime Minister Alexander Stubb said extension of working hours is not an issue of the moment.
 
The premier’s response comes after Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party) parliamentary group chair Arto Satonen in a speech proposed that working hours in the country should be extended from the current 37.5 hours to 40 hours a week.
 
The Kokoomus parliamentary group chair believes the extension would make the economy more competitive globally.
 
“The Finnish welfare state was built by working eight hours a day and 40 hours a week,” said Satonen in his speech at an NCP parliamentary group function in Hyvinkää.
 
Satonen also did not support the idea of reducing salaries and wages to beef up competitiveness, stating that many families are already facing hard times.
 
Stubb, who also doubles as the NCP chair, pointed out that labour market organisations should be given space to do their job but, at the same time, stressed that Satonen has the right to express his views.
 
The prime minister, however, did not completely dismiss the idea and said it is best to table the proposal for discussion. Still, Stubb does not believe that the move will form a fundamental pillar in pension reform or even extension of working life.
 
The premier also said it is likely that the proposal would be up for discussion within the NCP parliamentary group.
 
Satonen told reporters after his speech that the matter is in the hands of market labour organisations and what he meant was proposing an idea which would lead to a discussion.
 
 
 
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