Riku Aalto: “The Finnish welfare society needs workers”
TEXT AND PHOTO ANTTI HYVÄRINEN
Labour immigration is a key part of the strategy guiding the Industrial Union’s work. Union President Riku Aalto says that the union opposes discrimination and hopes that as many immigrants as possible join a trade union.
Finland is ageing, and the share of working-age population decreases year by year. Immigration is needed to prevent Finnish society from stagnating.
“The Finnish welfare society needs workers,” says Riku Aalto, President of the Industrial Union.
The Union Congress of the Industrial Union in spring 2023 outlined that special attention must be paid to work-based immigration and the terms of employment of foreign workers during the strategy period 2023–2028.
“Many employees may come from countries that do not have the same kind of labour market system as in Finland. We want to make sure that new immigrants have knowledge of Finnish terms of employment,” says Aalto.
The Industrial Union has set up a new unit focusing on issues related to workers from foreign backgrounds. Issues that affect foreign workers are taken into consideration in all of the union’s activities.
“The issue also touches on the activities of union representatives and local branches.”
It is outlined in the strategy that the union will offer more of its services in different languages. In May, the language selection grew to nine on the Industrial Union’s website and in the Hermes app, where employees and employers can find up-to-date information about working and living in Finland.
DECENT TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR ALL
The goal of the Industrial Union is that all workers are treated well, regardless of background.
“We try to ensure that people who come to Finland to work can do so safely, are treated fairly and receive the pay they are entitled to,” Aalto says.
Workers coming to Finland present an opportunity to increase the membership of the union and in this way, its collective power. Membership is also a way to make a difference.
“The community is always stronger than individuals. I hope that as many people as possible will join the union. It gives people the opportunity to influence their terms of employment and the kinds of services the union offers its members.”
The community is always stronger than individuals. I hope that as many people as possible will join the union.
As the share of workers of foreign background increases in workplaces, it is natural that the change is also reflected in organisations with elected representatives.
“We currently have union representatives of foreign background who bring in valuable perspectives.”
It is outlined in the union’s strategy that it needs to reach out to workers of foreign background in workplaces and ensure that they can easily participate in the union’s activities.
CONTRADICTIONS IN THE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMME
Even as the need for labour immigration is recognised, the actions of Finland’s current government seem to be headed in another direction. The government programme contains many plans that would make immigration harder.
Also on the agenda of the right-wing government is expanding local bargaining at company level, which seems to open up possibilities for the exploitation of foreign workers.
“In this respect, the government programme contradicts itself,” Aalto says.
The threat is that labour markets become divided, with significant disparity in terms of employment and pay.
“We already have at least three labour markets.”
The first of these is governed by laws and collective agreements. In the second, laws and terms of employment are interpreted against employees’ interests while in the third, workers are exploited outright.
Aalto says that while the majority of companies behave ethically and follow the law and collective agreements, the problem is caused by some companies that infringe on workers’ rights without scruples.
Today, especially in large projects, contracting chains are so long that even companies that do business ethically have trouble keeping track of the overall picture.
“By the fourth or fifth rung of the ladder, the client has little idea of what is really going on.”
IMPACT ON SOCIETY AS A WHOLE
If the government’s plans are implemented and more resources are not allocated to supervisory authorities, unprincipled companies stand to gain a competitive edge in profits compared to principled companies.
“In many ways, social harmony has eroded in Finland in the past few years. Large differences in issues related to wages or the treatment of people can lead to social tension.”
The question is about the terms of employment of all workers. If unscrupulous businesses win contracts by trampling on the rights of workers of foreign background, all workers will be affected.
“If the government’s plans are implemented, they will lead to a long-term weakening of terms of employment,” Aalto says.
