Half of SAK union members certain to vote in upcoming parliamentary elections

51 per cent of the members of SAK-affiliated trade unions are certain that they will vote in Finland's parliamentary elections to be held in March 2003, a new opinion poll suggests. A further 33 per cent indicate that they are fairly sure of voting. The corresponding figures for the Finnish electorate as a whole are 48 per cent and 35 per cent.

These figures are the findings of a Gallup Finland labour market opinion poll commissioned by the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions - SAK. A total of 1,006 people over 15 years of age were surveyed in January and February 2003. The respondents to questions about voting intentions were all of voting age.

Parliamentary elections are due to be held in Finland on 16 March. The turnout for the last elections in 1999 was 68.3 per cent. Some 60 per cent of SAK union members cast their votes at that time.

The principal contenders for the status of Finland s best-supported political grouping in the elections are the governing Finnish Social Democratic Party and the opposition Finnish Centre Party. These are closely followed by the conservative National Coalition Party. Other contenders include the Leftist Alliance and the Green Party. The current government comprises a broad "rainbow" coalition including the Social Democratic, Coalition and Leftist Alliance parties, together with the Swedish Peoples Party that mainly represents and draws its support from Swedish-speaking Finns.

The interest of SAK union members in the election has risen slightly since last year, when a membership survey conducted by SAK indicated that only 45 per cent of union members felt certain to cast their votes in a general election.

SDP viewed as the workers' best friend

The labour market opinion survey indicates that more than half of the electorate believe that their choice of candidate will be affected by how the political parties act in matters concerning the status of employees. This point of view has gained slightly more currency since the last parliamentary election.

The survey suggests that most voters regard the Social Democrats as the party best attuned to the needs of employees, with 54 per cent of respondents expressing the view that this party pursues employee interests at least fairly well. The SDP is also the only party to earn more praise than criticism for its work on behalf of wage-earners. The Leftist Alliance is regarded by voters as the second most effective political party in this respect.

Concern for public services

The principal themes of this year s pre-election debate are unemployment and the future of public services such as health care. There has also been lively discussion of the prospects for reducing the burden of taxation.

The labour market opinion survey indicates that two-thirds of the electorate would be willing to see cuts in labour taxation and a shift in the focus of tax policy towards property, capital and environmental taxation. However, 81 per cent of the electorate express the view that taxes should not be cut if this means impaired social security and public services. The National Coalition Party has called for the largest tax cuts.

87 per cent of the Finnish electorate hope that the government will continue to work with trade unions and employer organisations to ensure favourable trends in employment and the economy. Earnings-related unemployment benefit and the right to strike continue to enjoy firm support among the electorate, with 95 per cent of the population taking the view that those who pay their taxes and social contributions must be entitled to reasonable earnings-related income support in the event of illness, unemployment or retirement. 81 per cent of the people hold that the right to strike is a fundamental right of employees that should not be further restricted in any way. This is also the view of most entrepreneurs and senior business managers.