Municipalities and wellbeing services counties in Finland anticipate exceptionally large numbers of temporary layoffs this year, according to Local Government and County Employers (KT).
Uusi Suomi reports that wage disputes between municipalities and wellbeing services counties are intensifying.
According to KT, the anticipated temporary furloughs are expected to impact over four percent of the sector's workforce, or approximately 18,500 people. Dismissals will also be higher than usual estimated to affect around 700 people.
KT's chief economist Juho Ruskoaho said that these figures are unusually high for the public sector.
"These are exceptional numbers. We haven’t seen such high layoff figures since the pandemic, and the dismissals are at the level of the 1990s recession era."
Dismissals so far have mainly affected administration, leadership, and support functions, but also teachers and healthcare personnel.
This information comes from KT's annual savings survey, which asked regions about last year's savings and projections for this year.
Overall, the sector aims to save around 415 million euros this year, which is 1.7 percent of its labour costs. This marks a 20 percent increase from last year's savings of 345 million euros.
According to the survey, over 80 percent of wellbeing services counties and nearly 30 percent of municipalities have also reduced their services.
A recent episode of the All Points North podcast explores why you should care about local elections and discusses the growing involvement of foreigners in Finnish politics. Listen to the episode via this embedded player, on Yle Areena, via Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Hybrid model optimal
Hybrid work, which combines remote and on-site work, boosts the performance of Finnish companies the most, according to a recent survey by the Research Institute of the Finnish Economy Etla and research firm Innolink.
Meanwhile, fully remote or fully on-site work can reduce productivity, according to the study, reports Talouselämä.
The study, focusing on the machinery, equipment, and knowledge-intensive services sectors, found that companies averaged between two and three remote workdays per week. However, 76 percent of businesses said they did not track the impact of remote work on productivity.
The survey also revealed differing views among business leaders on remote work's impact on growth — 33 percent believe it hinders growth, while 29 percent think it supports it.
According to Sami Pakarinen, head of the Confederation of Finnish Industries EK, businesses must find the optimal mix of remote and on-site work to foster innovation, collaboration, and growth, or risk hindering their growth and the national economy.
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Sunny spring weather
Pleasant weather and sunshine are expected across Finland this weekend, both in the south and north, reports Ilta-Sanomat.
"It looks like a very warm air mass will move in with the southwesterly wind, reaching Lapland. The temperatures will be similar across the country on Saturday and Sunday," meteorologist Ilkka Alanko told IS.
The sun will shine brightly enough for Alanko to promise terrace weather, with great conditions for outdoor activities.
"Temperatures will generally be between 4–8 degrees Celsius, with the possibility of reaching around 10°C in some parts of the inland and south. The weather will be warmer than usual, all the way up to Lapland."
In sheltered areas, the sun will shine with a spring-like warmth, and temperatures in wind-protected spots could easily exceed 10 degrees, according to IS.
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