Ministers Haatainen and Sarkkinen to meet EU Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights Schmit in Helsinki on 6–7 October

Minister Hanna Sarkkinen and Commissioner Nicolas Schmit will discuss poverty reduction, promotion of mental health and income security. The meeting between Minister Tuula Haatainen and Commissioner Schmit will address current issues related to working life, such as the platform economy and dialogue between the social partners.

Reducing poverty and marginalisation is one of the objectives of the European Pillar of Social Rights. The EU aims to lift 15 million people out of poverty by 2030.

“Finland’s objective is to reduce the number of people living at risk of poverty and social exclusion by 100,000 by the year 2030. One third of these people should be children. That is why, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health will soon publish an action plan that pays particular attention to reducing the poverty of families with children and pensioners,” says Minister of Social Affairs and Health Hanna Sarkkinen. 

During their meeting on 6 October, Sarkkinen and Schmit will visit a Y-Foundation and meet representatives of health and social services organisations. 

Meeting of Haatainen and Schmit focuses on position of workers

The EU has recently debated a number of initiatives aimed at improving the position of workers across the Union. Haatainen and Schmit will discuss, in particular, the Commission’s proposed directive to improve the rights and working conditions of people employed through digital platforms.

Other topics include the promotion of dialogue between the social partners and solutions to the shortage of skilled labour. 

“Finland supports the EU’s objectives to create a fairer working life. These are important issues for Finland and we have advanced them during the entire government term,” says Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen.

The meeting of Haatainen and Schmit on 7 October will include a visit to the Ohjaamo guidance and service point in Helsinki. There are 70 Ohjaamo service points in Finland, which provide information and services to young people under 30 in educational and employment matters.

Inquiries:
Piritta Jokelainen, Special Adviser to the Minister of Employment, +358 295 047 353
Jiri Sironen, Special Adviser to the Minister of Social Affairs and Health, +358 40 450 9077
Juuli Hakulinen, Specialist, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, +358 295 163 651