s a k·fi Goals

Goals

We approach Finland’s 2027 parliamentary elections in a situation where the government has undermined the status of employees in many ways. With most of its reforms to the world of work conceding long-term ambitions of the business community, there is now an imbalance that favours employers in the labour market. The parliamentary election objectives of SAK seek to correct this imbalance.

A bus driver stands with arms crossed in front of a wall, looking upwards.

Our goal is a society that reflects a culture of consensus and trust at all levels from the halls of collective bargaining to individual workplaces. Finland needs legislation that fosters social balance, protects individuals from abuse, and establishes economic policies that are responsible and humane. Finland must return to the Nordic mainstream.

Finland’s parliamentary elections are scheduled for April 2027. The elections will return 200 Members of Parliament to enact laws and determine the State budget. The main election day will be Sunday 18 April 2027, with advance voting between 7 and 13 April at any polling station. Remember to vote!

Implementing the 59 measures in our programme would restore greater balance to the labour market and improve the world of work in Finland.

Our 10 key objectives

  1. The present government abolished the EUR 300 protected portion of unemployment benefit. We are seeking to restore this in order to enable claimants to accept minor and casual job assignments without losing benefit.
  2. Trade unions should have independent standing to take legal action on behalf of employees when their employer fails to comply with the agreed terms and conditions of employment. This would ensure that abuses do not go unpunished merely because an employee lacks the confidence or know-how to pursue the claim.
  3. Penalties for failing to pay wages should be more severe. The present “penalty” is often no more than an order to pay the wages that were unlawfully withheld.
  4. Wilfully failing to pay the minimum wage required under a collective agreement should be a punishable act.
  5. Businesses that use subcontractors should be required to ensure that those subcontractors respect the rights of their employees.
  6. Trade union membership dues should be tax deductible. This support for union membership has been a traditional way to ensure that employees in Finland have access to help and support at work. The Orpo-Purra government abolished this tradition of tax deductibility.
  7. Employees should be entitled to know when decisions concerning their work (such as assigning shifts) have been made by an algorithm or by computer software.
  8. Earnings-related unemployment benefit should not be reduced after only two months of unemployment. Even the most diligent jobseekers seldom find new employment so quickly.
  9. The availability of qualified jobseekers living in Finland should be checked before hiring people from outside the European Economic Area. This assessment of labour availability should be retained.
  10. Employers should always offer full-time employment unless there are legitimate grounds for offering part-time work.

A complete listing of our objectives is available in Finnish.

We are seeking to establish a labour market in Finland that provides jobs for the unemployed, enables retraining for a new occupation, allows people to start families, and ensures security at work. It is essential for everyone to vote in parliamentary elections.