Why are unions opposed to the government programme?

Petteri Orpo’s Government Programme includes a large number of impairments to the employees’ everyday lives and rights:

• All the impairments and cuts in the Government Programme will only affect one group: workers.
• The decisions are justified by referring to central government finances, even though at the same time the taxation of high-income earners will be significantly reduced. Ten euros a month for a chef and a thousand euros a year for a CEO is a rough but apt description of how money will be distributed.
• As the first thing it will do, the Government will restrict the right to strike. The purpose is to prevent workers from protesting against the Government’s other cuts and impairments.
• The Government will directly fulfil the goals of business organisations. The goals of the employee side will not be taken into account in any way.
• If implemented, the package will be more drastic than the Competitiveness Pact. Earnings-related unemployment allowance will be completely eroded, and salary payments will be cut off quickly in situations of change.

Read more about the reasons behind the industrial action here

The workplaces participating the 11 March to 31 March strike and FAQ about the strike

Open Unemployment Fund

• Government Programme reforms to unemployment security