Labour market organisations

SAK - 04.01.2010 - 14:22

Labour confederations

Finland has one of the highest rates of union membership in the industrialised world, with approximately 80 per cent of employees organised in trade unions. With around 70 trade unions organised into three labour confederations, there is a union for every employee regardless of line of work, type of employment or status in the enterprise.

The three labour confederations are

• Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions SAK (21 affiliated trade unions)
• Finnish Confederation of Salaried Employees STTK (20 affiliated trade unions)
• Confederation of Unions for Academic Professionals in Finland AKAVA (34 affiliated trade unions)

The labour confederations are recognised and respected organisations of considerable social standing. They occupy a powerful position in the evolution of Finnish society.

The confederations are politically non-aligned. They work closely together, both at national and international level, and have common objectives: to improve the welfare and quality of life of employees, to improve working life and to harmonise its demands with those of family life.

Both individually and collectively the labour confederations submit their opinions to the Finnish government and to the parliament concerning changes in legislation on employment and social affairs, taxation, environmental and energy policy, education and training, employment and the evolution of working and business life. The views of the labour confederations carry considerable weight. The confederations also generally adopt a consistent position with respect to the employer confederations, even though they may seek varying objectives in doing so.

Employer confederations

There are four employer confederations in Finland:

• Confederation of Finnish Industries EK
• Office for the Government as Employer
• Commission for Local Authority Employers
• Commission for Church Employers

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