Trends in 1997-2009 expose:
Working life risks tend to persist

Helsinki (31.03.2010 / edited 01.04.2010 – Juhani Artto) In recent years there has been no real rise in the "risk element" of working life in Finland but at the same time there has been no discernable improvement in this area either. This is the major result of the broad study on Finnish working life, published a week ago by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH). "Hardly any progress was made nationally in occupational safety and health in the 2000s, when measured against trends in occupational accidents and sickness absence", researchers conclude. "On the other hand, good examples f the impact of improved occupational safety and health have also been set. Separate studies suggest that workplaces are polarized as far as occupational safety and health are concerned. While best organizatons are actively developing this area, the weaker ones are at risk of a decline in standards." - The study is based on interviews, made in 2009, of about 3,000 working people from the ages of 20 to 64. Similar studies were made in 1997, 2000, 2003 and 2006. Trade Union News from Finland publishes the English language summary of the 2009 study by permission of the FIOH. Summary – Working in Finland: Changes in work and working conditions 1997-2009