Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto is pleased with the agreement on icebreaker cooperation between the United States Coast Guard and the Rauma shipyard, according to which two icebreakers will be built at the shipyard. Negotiations between the Coast Guard and the Helsinki shipyard are also likely to be concluded in the near future, bringing the number of icebreakers to be built in Finland up to four.
On 22 December 2025, the Government adopted a decree on a new grant that employment authorities can use to help companies hire unemployed young people under 30 years of age. This grant is also known as the employment voucher or recruitment subsidy.
The acts regulating the powers of national authorities supervising the provisions of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act will enter into force on 1 January 2026. The President of the Republic approved the legislative amendments on the proposal of the Government on 22 December 2025.
As of 1 January 2026, an employment relationship may be terminated on less weightier grounds if the employee violates the obligations arising from the employment relationship. Whether sufficient grounds for dismissal exist will continue to be based on a comprehensive consideration, and dismissal may not take place for a minor or discriminatory reason.
The responsibility for organising public employment services was transferred from the state’s employment and economic development offices to municipalities and municipal co-management areas on 1 January 2025.
The Sustainable Growth Programme boosts competitiveness, investment, research, development and innovation, as well as measures to raise skill levels. On our website you can find information on funding that the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and the government agencies under its purview provide to companies, including calls for applications.
The sectoral low-carbon roadmaps prepared in 2020 are updated in accordance with Prime Minister Orpo’s Government Programme. Roadmaps will pave the way for a low-carbon future.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment creates the conditions for economically, socially and ecologically sustainable growth. It comes from skilled people in high-quality jobs, productivity growth and increasing employment.
The administrative branch of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment comprises 23 government agencies subject to performance guidance. In addition, five companies and three off-budget State funds belong to the administrative branch.
