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Eurofound's EU PolicyWatch collates information on the responses of government and social partners to the COVID-19 crisis, the war in Ukraine, rising inflation, as well as gathering examples of company practices aimed at mitigating the social and economic impacts.

Factsheet for measure FI-2020-21/1293 – measures in Finland

Regional crisis support for employees affected by the COVID-19 crisis

Kriisituki alueilla - hanke

Country Finland , applies regionally

    • – FI1 MANNER-SUOMI
Time period Temporary, 18 May 2020 – 16 November 2020
Context COVID-19
Type Other initiatives or policies
Category Protection of workers, adaptation of workplace
– Well-being of workers
Author Amanda Kinnunen (Oxford Research) and Eurofound
Measure added 20 October 2020 (updated 22 October 2020)

Background information

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to large-scale temporary and permanent lay-offs in Finland. In addition, many employees have had to adapt to the changing labour market where new skills and competencies are required. Many of the affected employees need support in order to adapt to the new situation. Some might need help with job search while others need services that strengthen their work capacity. Providing this kind of support is the aim of this support measure.

Content of measure

This project provides support for employees who have been made redundant, temporarily laid off, or at risk of being made redundant.

This project aims to strengthen employees’ work capacity through individual guidance and group meetings. The themes of the meetings are, for example, practical issues and feelings related to the crisis, support for well-being, development of digital skills, and other factors related to maintaining working capacity. Besides, a digital information package regarding temporary layoffs and dismissals has been compiled to make other services available for this group more visible.

The activities are also free of charge. The project is aimed at employees in the service and public sectors. However, the activities are open to all. These services are provided in South Savo, North Savo and North Karelia.

The main actor implementing this project is the Workers' Education Association TSL. Other partners are the Finnish Trade Union Confederation SAK, the Service Sectors Trade Union PAM, and the Public and Welfare Sectors Association JHL. The project is funded by the European Social Fund.

Use of measure

No information available regarding the use of this measure. The aim is to provide support for 150 people in South Savo, North Savo and North Karelia.

Target groups

Workers Businesses Citizens
Applies to all workers Does not apply to businesses Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors Funding
Trade unions
Other social actors (e.g. NGOs)
European Funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

Trade unions Employers' organisations
Role Agreed (outcome) incl. social partner initiative No involvement
Form Any other form of consultation, institutionalised (as stable working groups or committees) or informal Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

  • Only trade unions
  • Main level of involvement: Peak or cross-sectoral level

Involvement

One peak-level trade union (Finnish Trade Union Confederation SAK) and two branch-level trade unions (the Service Sectors Trade Union PAM and the Public and Welfare Sectors Association JHL) are involved in the implementation of this project. There is no information available regarding the exact ways they contribute to this project.

Views and reactions

No information available.

Sources

  • 06 August 2020: Is there a threat of layoffs or unemployment? Now you can get free help - Crisis Support in the Regions project supports the working capacity of those who hit the corona crisis (www.jhl.fi)

Citation

Eurofound (2020), Regional crisis support for employees affected by the COVID-19 crisis, measure FI-2020-21/1293 (measures in Finland), EU PolicyWatch, Dublin, https://static.eurofound.europa.eu/covid19db/cases/FI-2020-21_1293.html

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Disclaimer: This information has not been subject to the full Eurofound evaluation, editorial and publication process.