Crucial elections

In January, the Industrial Union published a compre­hen­sive document concer­ning its goals for the next parlia­men­tary mandate period 2023–2027. The main problem is wage and salary earners’ sinking purcha­sing power, due to the high infla­tion rate and energy crisis.

Weake­ning purcha­sing power is seriously threa­te­ning domestic demand and a positive emplo­y­ment develop­ment and can make the economic reces­sion longer.

In 2016, the right-wing govern­ment forced the unions to accept a transfer of a part of the emplo­yees’ social insurance contri­bu­tions from emplo­yers to emplo­yees. Rescin­ding this measure would bring rapid and balanced benefits, the union says.

Another key issue in the elections will be unemplo­y­ment security. The right-wing parties advocate cuts: the National Coali­tion Party wants to halve the earnings-related unemplo­y­ment benefits.

Finnish law and collec­tive agree­ments must be followed, the union demands.

Should this become law, the Industrial Union estimates that up to 10,000 skilled industrial workers  in the union sectors would be forced to accept only basic social security.

In respect of foreign labour and immigrants in working life, the union has often witnessed exploi­ta­tion. Under­pay­ment, too long working days, denying holidays and lack of breaks are never the emplo­yees’ fault, but always the emplo­yers’ fault, the union stresses.

With regard to all emplo­y­ment in Finland, Finnish law and collec­tive agree­ments must be followed, the union demands. To reach this, better legis­la­tion against discri­mi­na­tion is needed, together with effec­tive law enforcement.

The role of unions is extre­mely impor­tant in defen­ding foreign workers, who are often in a vulne­rable position. The Industrial Union is ready to do its part in this work.

But, first we need a Parlia­ment that supports workers’ issues. And this rests in the hands of the electorate.

When and where to vote?

Many things in our daily life depend on the results of these elections. Parlia­ment adopts laws, decides the state budget and the govern­ment must enjoy the confi­dence of Parliament.

The actual election day is Sunday 2 April when the polling stations are open from 09.00 until 20.00. There are a total of 1,808 polling stations around the country.

On the election day, you may only vote at your own local polling station. This is indicated in the voting card you will receive in the post. When voting, an official photo ID is necessary.

Voting is made by writing only the number for the candi­date – against each candidate’s name is a number – of your choice on the ballot paper, and nothing else.

Another possi­bi­lity is to vote in advance from 22 to 28 March. Again, an official photo ID is neces­sary. There are 958 places to vote in advance, usually in city halls, libra­ries or shopping centres.

You can vote in any of these, but remember to check the right number of your consti­tuency candi­date, as there are 13 consti­tuencies in Finland.

See detailed infor­ma­tion on elections on the web page vaalit.fi/en.