Massive Strike Against Unemployment Grips Finland, Closes Schools and Air Traffic

AFPEan earlier strike against unemployment in Finland

NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 10:03

Schools and supermarkets across Finland are closed today and tomorrow due to a nationwide strike. Air traffic is also at a standstill. The action is aimed against cuts in the labor market, which the right-wing government led by Prime Minister Orpo has announced. According to the Finnish public broadcaster Yle almost 300,000 people take to the streets.

At 12 noon, activists gather at protest meetings, including in the capital Helsinki. Prime Minister Orpo has announced his intention to cut unemployment benefits. He also wants to scrap the right to strike for employees.

The strike has closed supermarkets, hotels and restaurants, as well as childcare locations and schools. Postal workers, people in the banking sector and employees of the airline Finnair also stop work. Construction companies, public transport and factories are shut down.

More strikes are looming

The chairman of the country’s largest trade union, the SAK, has nothing good to say about the government’s plans. “First the right to strike is severely restricted and then tough cuts are implemented,” Jarkko Eloranta told Reuters.

In recent months, unions have taken to the streets more often to speak out against the government’s plans. More strike action is being threatened if the government, which has been in power since last year, does not back down. However, according to public broadcaster Yle, the government believes that Finland must increase productivity and reduce the budget deficit.

6 billion

The coalition in Finland was formed last year after two right-wing conservative parties won the elections. They have since formed a government with two smaller conservative parties. The government plans have already announced 6 billion euros in cuts. Orpo thinks it can achieve this in the labor market, among other things. There are also plans to cut back on development cooperation.

Meanwhile, a new president is also being elected in Finland. Last week it became clear that a second round of voting is necessary, because there was no majority in the first round of the elections. In Finland, executive power is divided between the prime minister and the president. The Prime Minister focuses on domestic policy, the President is responsible for defense and represents Finland in NATO.

2024-02-01 09:03:21
#Nationwide #strike #Finland #austerity #plans