TE2024: Most of the proposed employment areas can continue preparations

On 21 November 2023, the ministerial working group on employment and entrepreneurship discussed the formation of employment areas. A total of 44 employment areas will be established in Finland. Most of the areas reported by municipalities fulfilled the requirements of the Act, but for six areas it is proposed that an application for an exemption be approved.

Of all areas, 31 fulfilled the Act’s requirement of an employment base of 20,000 people and the additional qualitative requirement of a geographically adjacent area that functions well in terms of the labour market and employment. These areas, which were formed based on municipalities’ decisions, will be able to continue the preparations.

Seven areas applied for an exemption concerning the size of the employment base. Six of these applications for exemptions met the requirements of the Act and they will be submitted to the Government for approval:

•    Hanko-Ingå-Raseborg employment area
•    Jakobstad employment area
•    Savonlinna employment area
•    Ylä-Savo employment area
•    Fell Lapland-Pello employment area
•    Northern and eastern Lapland employment area

The Government aims to discuss the proposals at the end of November, after which the employment areas granted an exemption will also be able to continue the preparations.

It is proposed that the application for an exemption submitted by the city of Valkeakoski be rejected by a Government decision.

Government to make decisions on seven employment areas

The Government’s decision-making procedure to form an employment area was initiated for seven areas.

The procedure covers those municipalities or areas that do not meet the criteria for the responsibility for organising services laid down in the Act and that have not been granted an exemption or that do not belong to any employment area.

The municipalities affected by the decisions will be consulted on the draft decisions (from 28 November 2023 to 2 February 2024). The Government will make decisions after the consultations in February 2024.

Inquiries:
Veera Svahn, Special Adviser to the Minister of Employment, tel. 0295 047 321
Jenni Wessman, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, [email protected]