The Finnish government’s proposal regarding industrial action (update)

At a glance

Update (11 June 2024):

The new regulations concerning industrial peace legislation which amongst other changes, substantially limit the length of political strikes entered into force on 18 May 2024. This was in advance of the originally proposed timeline of July 2024.

• On 29 February 2024, the Finnish government submitted its proposal for amendments to the industrial peace legislation.
• The proposal includes, inter alia, a limitation on the maximum duration of political work stoppages.
• If these proposals are accepted, they will come into force on 1 July 2024.

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On 29 February 2024, the Finnish government submitted its proposal for amendments to the industrial peace legislation. The proposed changes include:

• Increasing the compensatory fines for employer associations who are involved in unlawful strikes from EUR37,400 to a maximum of EUR150,000 and a minimum of EUR10,000.
• An employee who continues industrial action despite the Labour Court finding it to be unlawful, will be fined EUR200.
• When the obligation to maintain industrial peace is in force, a solidarity action cannot be carried out if such actions would disproportionately harm those not involved in the main dispute.
• Limiting the maximum duration of political work stoppages to 24 hours and other industrial actions to two weeks.
• Requiring a seven-day notice period before organising a solidarity action or political industrial action in the form of a work stoppage. 

The government is also preparing other significant changes to employment laws, including those related to consultation obligations and local bargaining. However, please note that these changes are not in force yet.