Parliament passes bill limiting duration of industrial, political strikes

The law reform will set the maximum duration of a political strike at 24 hours while industrial strikes will be limited to a period of two weeks.

https://yle.fi/a/74-20087808?

Finland has seen a series of walkouts by workers over the last six months in protest at the government's plans to introduce a number of labour market reforms.

 

File photo. Image: Sasha Silvala / Yle

YLE NEWS

8.5. 16:24

Finnish MPs voted by 107-57 on Wednesday to pass a law that will limit the duration of industrial and political strikes.

Thirty-five parliamentarians were absent from the vote.

The measure, put forward by the government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP), will set the maximum duration of a political strike at 24 hours while industrial strikes will be limited to a period of two weeks.

An industrial strike is usually called when trade unions have a dispute with employers, for example over the terms of collective bargaining agreements, while the purpose of a political strike is to pursue political or societal goals.

The government will decide at a later date when the law reform will come into effect.

Two opposition parties — the Centre Party and Movement Now — voted with the coalition government in passing the bill.

Over the last six months, Finland has seen a series of walkouts by workers who were protesting the government's plans for a number of labour market reforms — including the provision to limit the duration of political strikes.

Trade unions have criticised the government's reforms, arguing that they will weaken workers' rights and position.