Finland lifts EU labour restrictions from 1 May

Finland's labour and employer confederations agreed with the government on Friday 10 February to discontinue special transitional arrangements limiting the use of labour from the new European Union Member States as of 1 May 2006. This will lift mobility restrictions on workers from eight Member States that joined the European Union in 2004. Labour from Romania and Bulgaria will also be freely admitted after these countries join the European Union in January 2007.

The parties to the new accord also agreed to prepare a proposal by 10 March for new legislation on supervision of employment terms. The new laws will enable Finnish businesses to ensure that subcontractors and employment bureaux comply with minimum employment terms and pay their statutory contributions. The aim is for this legislation to take effect before the mobility restrictions are lifted in May.

A registration requirement for workers from the new European Union Member States will also facilitate supervision of employment terms and statistical monitoring. There are currently no precise figures indicating the number of foreign workers in Finland.

The Central Organisation Of Finnish Trade Unions - SAK was represented at the recent negotiations by its Deputy Director Matti Viialainen. Viialainen stresses that Finnish employers must now make good their promise to hire workers from the new Member States directly and without unnecessary intermediaries. Many migrant workers from these countries are currently working in Finland through various employment agencies.

While SAK has been favourably disposed to free mobility of labour within the European Union, the organisation has also stressed that effective supervision of employment terms and statutory liability of subscriber enterprises must be in place before the transitional restrictions are lifted. Matti Viialainen also explains that the improved employment situation in Finland also justifies lifting the restrictions after only two years.

SAK has also submitted a proposal to the Confederation of Finnish Industries - EK seeking a common position on longer-term and sustained immigration for employment. SAK would like the organisations to align their policies with a view to adopting a joint declaration on fair play in working life.