1. Decent Work for Migrant Workers in Precarious situation in EU 27, Gdansk 13-14 September, 2011
Rights based approach to migrant workers in trade unions
Country Report: Finland
Helena Hämäläinen, SAK
Ralf Sund, STTK
/xx SAK Today and Tomorrow

2. Finland: Facts and estimates about workforce (immigrants and migrants)
5,4 million inhabitants % foreign nationals, 3 % speak other than national languages
Official languages are Finnish (91 %), Swedish (5,4 %) and Sámi (1700 people)
Workforce 2,7 million persons, around of immigrant background
Immigrant unemployment nearly three times the national average (which is around 8 % at the moment)
The employment rate of immigrants in 2009 was only 52 % compared to 70 % of the natives
– foreigners worked in Finland on temporary basis in 2009
/xx SAK Today and Tomorrow

3. Immigrants/foreign workers and trade unions
Three central organisations in Finland: SAK (1,043 million members), STTK ( members) and Akava ( members)
Organisation percentage around 70
Estimation of organisation percentage of immigrants 30
In SAK affiliated unions (less than 2 %) of immigrant background (mostly in Services United Union (PAM), the Public Employees Union (JHL) and Metal Workers Union
In service and public unions the number of immigrant members has risen because of active campaigning
In STTK around 3000 immigrant members
In Akava around 2000 immigrant members
/xx SAK Today and Tomorrow

4. Why join/not join a union?
The membership of trade unions is open to all nowadays
Obstacles
Immigrants do not know about the unions, unions should be more active in campaigning among migrants
Some unions do not want temporary workers to join – legal assistance offered only after months of membership
In the countries of origin joining the union was dangerous
Language barriers
Bw. immigrants and local employees
Bw. shop stewards and immigrants
immigrants wish more services in their native languages
/xx SAK Today and Tomorrow

5. Migrant workers interests represented in trade unions
In SAK, STTK and Akava special working groups where migrant workers interests are discussed
Several unions have similar groups
Special training courses in trade union schools for immigrants
SAK arranges once a year an immigrant forum where immigrant members discuss their matters and problems
Biggest unions have officials who, at least part time, deal with immigrants´ problems
Immigrant members in union boards
immigrants as shop stewards, health and safety representatives and in other elected positions in many unions
/xx SAK Today and Tomorrow

6. Co-operation with public authorities, NGOs etc.
Trade unions participate in governmental working groups (in drafting laws, give opinions to ministries and the Parliament, take part in official hearings etc.)
The Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations (ETNO) is a broad-based expert body set up by the Finnish Government. Its purpose is to:
promote interaction between Finlands ethnic minorities and the authorities, labour market organisations, NGOs and the political parties in Parliament, equally at the national, regional and local level, and
provide the ministries with immigration policy expertise in the interests of furthering an ethnically equal and diversified society.
/xx SAK Today and Tomorrow

7. 20.8.2008/xx SAK Today and Tomorrow
Example: Organising migrant workers in the nuclear power plant Olkiluoto – by Finnish Electric workers union
Olkiluoto is a huge construction site in western Finland
Mostly foreign temporary workers (85 % of the workforce), large number of Polish workers
Metal , Construction and Electric workers unions and PRO (STTK union) present in the construction site
One Polish interpreter sent by unions work in Olkiluoto
This summer 142 Polish workers joined the Electric workers union. Now two cases in the court with permission of the foreign members. Dispute is about wages.
The union won the trust of foreign workers by helping other Polish workers in another construction site (Ideapark in ) – the word spread around. Also Polish interpretation was an important element.
/xx SAK Today and Tomorrow