Reader's Opinion | Labor Minister Satonen: Pay equality can be promoted in an export-led labor market model

I arranged on Tuesday 16.1. discussion session for labor market participants on the development of the Finnish labor market model. At the event, I told that after the discussions between the organizations failed and in the absence of further conditions, we will start the preparation of the law change regarding the content of settlement proposals given by the mediation bodies in accordance with the government program record in the ministry in order to strengthen the export-led labor market model. At the same time, I stated that the organizations have – if they wish – until the end of May to present their own model that fulfills the spirit of the government program.

In recent days, several trade unions and political actors have suggested that the strengthening of the export-led labor market model by legislation would condemn those working in female-dominated fields and the public sector to an “eternal wage pit”. Of course, no one aspires to such a development. The government is very strongly committed to promoting equality and equality.

An export-led labor market model does not conflict with reducing the gender pay gap. In Sweden, the export model has been applied for more than 25 years, and at the same time it has been possible to significantly reduce the wage gap between the sexes by taking into account labor shortage sectors within the public sector. Irene Wennemo, director general of Medlingsinstitutet, which is responsible for mediation in Sweden, estimated for HS in November that in Sweden, for example, nurses are among those who benefit from the export-led system (HS 9.11.).

The government is not making structural reforms to social security, other benefits or the regulation of working life out of spite. The government is reforming Finnish working life, because Finland is a dangerously indebted country at the expense of future generations. Not renewing is not an option.

As a small, open and export-dependent economy, we need a labor market model that secures the international competitiveness of the export of goods and services. Such export models, which have been widely committed to, have been successfully built and consistently developed in the Nordic labor market for decades. In Finland, however, no model to which there is a common commitment has emerged.

Of course, strengthening the export model by developing legislation for the mediation system alone does not form a complete functioning labor market model. However, in the absence of a broad consensus on the model, the importance of regulation is great for establishing the system. The further development of the negotiation system, industries and local negotiation cultures is naturally the domain of labor market operators. We cannot settle for a situation where the other Nordic countries are ahead of us in terms of the economy, employment or the operation of the labor market.

Arto Satonen

minister of labor (kok)

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