Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

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

The Committee notes the observations of the Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK), the Finnish Confederation of Salaried Employees (STTK), the Federation of Finnish Enterprises (SY) and the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK), submitted with the Government’s report. The Committee further notes the SAK and STTK observations received on 23 November 2023. The Committee also notes the information provided by the Government in relation to some of these observations pertaining to the exercise of the right to strike. The Committee notes that the SAK in its observations alleges restrictions on the exercise of the right to strike in practice, stemming from various measures taken by employers to break strikes. The Committee further notes that in their observations on the application of the Labour Relations (Public Service) Convention, 1978 (No. 151), the SAK, the STTK, and the Confederation of Unions for Academic Professionals in Finland (AKAVA) allege restrictions on the right to strike for public servants and church officials. The Committee requests the Government to provide its comments on all of these allegations.

The Committee further takes note of concerns expressed by the SAK and the STTK regarding the upcoming legislative developments allegedly aiming at limiting the right to strike and the absence of genuine tripartite consultations in this regard. Recalling the crucial importance of social dialogue and consultation with organizations of employers and workers for the preparation and development of legislation affecting their rights, the Committee expresses the firm hope that any changes to the legislation regulating the right to strike are subject to full and in-depth consultations with the social partners. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on all developments in this regard.