The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has received 49 comments on the legislative proposals to promote local collective bargaining. The feedback received will now be analysed as part of further preparation. The draft proposal will also be sent to the Finnish Council of Regulatory Impact Analysis for evaluation.

The Government is to submit a proposal for amendments to industrial peace legislation on 29 February 2024. The reform will enhance the sanctions system for unlawful strikes, limit disproportionate solidarity action and restrict the length of political industrial action.

The work of the tripartite working group preparing the reform of local collective bargaining is in final stages, and the outlines of the reform are clear. The consultation round on the working group’s report will begin in February.

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.

A report commissioned by Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen identifies reasons and possible solutions for disputes over the choice of collective agreements. The aim is to maintain industrial peace and to prevent and resolve labour disputes. Among other things, the rapporteurs propose a new voluntary conciliation procedure. The preparation of the proposals will continue in a tripartite working group.