New agreement on working holiday arrangements enable Finnish youth to work temporarily in Japan – enters into force at the beginning of August
A new agreement on working holiday arrangements, adopted by the Finnish Parliament last autumn, will make it easier for young people aged 18–30 in the partner countries to familiarise themselves with the other country and work on a temporary basis to finance their stay.
EU employment and social affairs ministers to discuss follow-up to Porto Social Summit, European Semester and employment of people with disabilities
The EU ministers responsible for employment and social affairs will meet at the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) in Luxembourg on 16 June 2022. Finland’s representatives at the Council will be Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen and Minister of Social Affairs and Health Hanna Sarkkinen.
Government proposes to improve position of persons on variable hours contracts and introduce more predictable terms of employment
The Government proposal would drive the achievement of the Government Programme objective of more stable working hours in variable hours contracts. In addition, it would implement the amendments necessitated by the directive on transparent and predictable working conditions in the EU, such as predictable terms of employment. The Government submitted its proposal to Parliament on 21 April 2022.
Substitution during a job alternation leave and employment with start-up grants the most effective active employment services
According to a report by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment on employment after participation in active employment services, active employment services providing the best short-term employment effects in 2018 were substitution during a job alternation leave, employment with start-up grants, placement in central government jobs, and self-motivated studies whilst claiming unemployment benefit.
Employers’ right to temporarily derogate from working hours and annual holidays arrangements and periods of notice extended in healthcare and social welfare
The Government proposes that the period of validity of the decree issued under the Emergency Powers Act regarding exceptional arrangements for working hours, annual holidays and the employee’s notice period be extended until 30 June 2020. This is to enable the healthcare and social services sector to better respond to any acute personnel shortages caused by the virus epidemic.
