Preparedness for serious disruptions and emergency conditions in the administrative branch of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment

Finland’s security of supply relies on well-functioning markets and investments by private sector actors, and Finnish society does not have the operating conditions to cope with crises without them. In addition to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, preparedness is the responsibility of the relevant government agencies and institutions in the administrative branch, as well as the Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment. As companies mainly participate in security of supply work on a voluntary basis, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment must, for its part, use legislation and guidance to safeguard the operating conditions of the business community even in exceptional circumstances. 

In accordance with the Security Strategy for Society, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment is solely responsible for the following tasks.

Safeguarding energy supply

The availability of energy is connected to all functions of society. Consequently, disruptions that affect the energy sector may significantly weaken the operation of other critical functions in society. Safeguarding energy supply includes safeguarding the power supply (electricity and district heating) as well as the fuel supply (oil, natural gas and coal). Energy supply in Finland is based on diverse energy sources and a strong transmission and distribution system.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment is in charge of safeguarding and developing energy supply. Fuel supply is ensured by securing procedures related to the procurement, transmission and storage of fuels. The availability of fuels is ensured by utilising several different fuels and sources of procurement, promoting the production of domestic fuels and maintaining fuel stocks. To ensure preparedness for emergency conditions, the capacity exists to increase domestic energy production, regulate the use of liquid fuels and deploy emergency stockpiles.

Securing the power supply is a matter of safeguarding the production, transmission and distribution of electricity and district heating. The task requires the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment to ensure the state's adequate control of critical infrastructure and the capacity to repair damaged energy connections. At the practical level, preparedness in power supply is primarily based on companies' own preparedness planning, in which the National Emergency Supply Agency has a guiding role. Power supply in emergency conditions is based on companies' preparedness plans and their application. The regulation of electricity or district heating in accordance with the Emergency Powers Act can be used only as a last resort.

Securing the availability of workforce

The adequate availability of labour is a key aspect of security of supply. With this in mind, it is necessary to have the capacity to direct workforce in all circumstances as required by the situation. The purpose of workforce-related preparedness is to secure appropriate workforce for companies that are critical to the functioning of society, national defence and sectors related to the basic security of the population, and to maintain the capacity to direct additional workforce to key tasks. Sectors that are particularly vital to the functioning of society include industrial and service production and healthcare, as disruptions in these sectors may have a significant adverse impact on the availability of workforce.

The task of the administrative branch of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment is to ensure, in all circumstances, the adequate availability of workforce for critical companies and sectors, as well as expert duties. To carry out this task, the Ministry cooperates with other administrative branches and coordinates the acquisition and direction of workforce by the authorities. The task of securing the availability of workforce includes the continuous anticipation of education and competence needs. Directing workforce may also be necessary in order to repair damage caused by major accidents, for example. The use of workforce always needs to be first regulated by means of regular job intermediation measures. Additional powers under the Emergency Powers Act, such as compulsory employment placement, the restriction of the right to give notice and a general obligation to work, can only be invoked as a last resort.

Safeguarding industries and services

Industries and services produce goods and services to safeguard other vital functions of society. For this reason, maintaining adequate production is essential for safeguarding security of supply. To safeguard production, it is necessary to take care of essential distribution, infrastructure, the operating prerequisites of the export industries, import channels and the availability of critical raw materials. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment is responsible for the development and coordination of the safeguarding of production.

Preparedness related to production is based on legislation, agreements and voluntary operations by businesses. Preparedness in commodities production is primarily based on the market economy, and the authorities must therefore ensure that companies have the prerequisites to produce sufficient quantities of commodities for the market. If the measures taken by the business community itself are no longer adequate for maintaining appropriate production, the authorities can, in emergency conditions, regulate and steer trade in production inputs, and deploy stockpiled factors of production.