Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 82nd ILC session (1995)

Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) - Finland (Ratification: 1950)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report as well as the observations of the Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) and the Confederation of Unions for Academic Professionals in Finland (AKAVA).

With reference to its previous comments relating to the right of unions to elect their representatives in full freedom, the Committee notes with satisfaction that amendments to sections 44 and 48 of the Act on Personnel Funds and section 6 of the Act on Personnel Representation in the Administration of Undertakings, which remove restrictions on nationality and domicile, have entered into force. The Committee further notes from the Government's report that section 10, paragraph 3, of the Associations Act, which included a provision on the maximum number of foreigners who could be members of associations, has been repealed and that by virtue of an amendment to section 11 of the same Act, members' nationalities no longer need to be registered in the association's memberships list.

Moreover, the Committee notes the Government's introduction of a Bill to revise the fundamental rights of citizens. According to the Government, the new provisions will secure, besides other rights, freedom of association and for the first time, trade union rights expressly (subsection 10(a)(2)). These provisions will also apply to all those within the jurisdiction of Finland, and not only to Finnish citizens.

The Committee would request the Government to keep it informed of developments regarding the above-mentioned Bill. It also requests it to send its observations on the comments made by the SAK and the AKAVA in its next report.