“Get the Hermes app, join the union and know your rights” – members of foreign background praise the Industrial Union’s expanding services
TEXT ANTTI HYVÄRINEN
PHOTOS JYRKI LUUKKONEN AND SERGEI UNUKAINEN
Members of foreign background feel that the Industrial Union’s Hermes app makes life easier in a new country, especially early on. The app and the Industrial Union’s website contain information in nine languages.
The Industrial Union’s ”Teollisuusliiton Hermes” app provides up-to-date information about working and living in Finland. The mobile app is available in Finnish, Swedish, English, Ukrainian, Russian, Vietnamese, Romanian, Polish and Estonian.
Union member Michał Kulka-Kowalczyk and his family moved from Poland to Finland in late 2021. He estimates that moving and settling in a new country would have gone faster if he’d had the Teollisuusliiton Hermes app to rely on.
“It is great that the Industrial Union is open to workers of foreign backgrounds and the union’s website and Hermes app are available in many languages,” says Kulka-Kowalczyk.
Kulka-Kowalczyk, who works in newspaper delivery at Lounais-Suomen Tietojakelu Oy in Turku, says that he joined the union on his own initiative. Delivery workers work alone and rarely see coworkers or shop stewards.
“I might have joined the union earlier if I hadn’t had to put in so much time to look for and translating information,” says Kulka-Kowalczyk.
He joined the largest trade union in Finland in late 2023, at a time when the Industrial Union and other trade unions stood in opposition to the government’s anti-worker policies.
“I saw the strikes and the Serious Grounds campaign. I wanted to get involved and strengthen the movement.”
Kulka-Kowalczyk sees it as a positive that trade unions have a strong position in society. In Poland, the trade union movement is weaker than in Finland.
“It warms my heart that the trade union movement in Finland is strong, and people are committed to defending their rights.”
Kulka-Kowalczyk, who has participated in training offered by the Industrial Union, sees membership in a trade union as a good way to integrate to a new country. He gives advice to immigrants:
“Get the Hermes app, join the union and know your rights. This way, you’re not alone and can make your voice heard.”
SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT TEOLLISUUSLIITON HERMES
The Industrial Union’s Teollisuusliiton Hermes app currently has information on the terms of employment, including wages, hours and holidays, in five collective agreement sectors. The sectors are technology, forestry, agriculture, horticulture and tree nurseries. The plan is that eventually, the terms of employment of all of the Industrial Union’s agreement sectors can be found in the app.
Georgi Liiva, a member of the Industrial Union, moved from Estonia to Finland in late 2022. Liiva, who has previously worked temporary jobs in Finland, has settled in Kotka to work in the technology sector.
Moving to a new country requires taking care of all kinds of paperwork and contacting different places. The Teollisuusliiton Hermes app has a lot of information and links to more resources.
“If I’d had used the Hermes app, everything would have gone faster,” Liiva says.
There are trade unions in Estonia, too, but they don’t support members in the way Finnish unions do.
Labour market systems and the role of trade unions vary from country to country. Immigrants may find it hard getting to know the practices in the new country.
“There are trade unions in Estonia, too, but they don’t support members in the way Finnish unions do.”
Liiva joined the Industrial Union following his friends’ recommendation.
“I feel more secure this way and I’m able to get support from the union if I have any questions.”
He has received help from the union in matters related to wages, among other matters. Liiva has participated in training offered by the union and in activities organised by his local branch.
“Only Finnish is spoken at meetings in my local branch. The secretary has tried to explain things to me in English.”
Liiva is learning Finnish, but hopes that local branches could also use English and spread the word about the Teollisuusliiton Hermes app in workplaces.
A SOFTER LANDING IN A NEW COUNTRY
Information in the Industrial Union’s Teollisuusliiton Hermes app can be accessed without an internet connection, and the app does not collect data about users. The app is free and can be downloaded from most common app stores.
Sergei Unukainen, who moved from Estonia to Finland more than five years ago, says that the Teollisuusliiton Hermes app has made it easier to help others with a foreign background.
“I know a lot of foreigners who don’t speak Finnish and have helped a few people. The app is very useful in that you can look up information in many different languages,” Unukainen says.
Unukainen, who speaks Finnish, has put in the effort to learn the language.
“All my friends are Finnish. You can learn the language quickly when you hear it every day and attend courses.”
In Unukainen’s case, his settling into Finland was made easier by support from his employer. The car plant in Uusikaupunki ran a hiring campaign that included support for finding a home and arranging daycare for children. In the absence of such support, finding the information from different sources takes a great deal of effort.
“The Hermes app makes life easier during the first few months in the country.”
Unukainen, who currently works at Aurajoki Oy’s factory in Turku, believes that supporting immigrants start a life and find work in Finland is in everyone’s interests, as there is a shortage of skilled industrial workers.
“There are many professionals coming to Finland with good training and experience, but are unable to find work. It’s important to support them in the integration process.”
