Leila Kostiainen, the General Secretary of the STTK:
Employment issues at the forefront of the government programme

STTK (24.04.2011) Although the result of the Parliamentary election was a something of a surprise, Leila Kostiainen, the General Secretary of the STTK, believes that STTK will enjoy good cooperation with the next government.

"STTK always strives to have good cooperation with the government regardless what parties have formed it. And so it will be now also. We do not foresee any obstacles to this being the case."

Kostiainen expects the inter-party negotiations to lead to a majority government that will be able, together with the labour market organizations, to push the economy forward.

"If the three largest parties (Conservatives, Social-Democrats and True Finns) form the next government, employment issues will almost definitely be in the forefront of its programme."

"All three parties clearly aim to improve the employment situation and increase employment opportunities in Finland. This fits very well with STTK’s thinking."

As regards taxation, Kostiainen is firmly of the belief that a common understanding can be reached on how to collect enough taxes to finance all necessary welfare services. Tax money is also needed to maintain the jobs where many rank and file members of STTK unions work, Kostiainen adds.

The extension of work careers is a common goal of all political parties and the labour market organizations, Kostiainen reminds us. She believes that a common understanding on the means to reach this goal will be found.

"Work careers have to be extended to put the economy on a sustainable footing. People will live older, so it is fair to use part of this extension in the working life."

"We can agree on means and ways to extend work careers as soon as facts are recognized. The most effective way to extend work careers is to improve employment and to reduce the number of people being transferred to disability pension. Very little can be achieved by raising the retirement age", Kostiainen stresses.