Employment on short term contracts has increased

20% of all women in employment, and 13% of men, are engaged on short term contracts. Employment on a short term contract basis is increasing in frequency in the public sector. A recent survey which was conducted by the Finnish Statistics Centre indicates that this is a problem which affects, in particular, women and the younger employees.

According to a survey which was carried out by SAK, 20% of the members of the SAK affiliated unions work on a short term contract basis, whilst 35% of the female members of SAK unions and 19% of the male membership are in atypical employment (short term and part time working). The number of people who are engaged in atypical employment has doubled during the last five years.

A report by the Finnish Statistics Centre shows that a worker on a short term contract runs a higher risk of being injured at work than does one who has been employed for a longer period in the same job. The reason for this is the fact that the highest risk of accidents at work is present at the time that a person is new to a job. Those on short term contracts are obliged to change their place of work frequently and they are repeatedly required to become acquainted with a new working environment.

However, those who are in permanent employment suffer from occupational illnesses more commonly than do those on short term contracts.