1. A trade union agenda for reform Pekka Immeli 20.2.2006 AKAVA Finland

2. , -Finland is a good pupil in a bad class -Incomes policy aggreament 1.3.2005 – 30.9.2007 -includes many reforms

3. -efficient life- long learning strategies -better anticipation of skill needs, labour market shortages and bottlenecks -continual review of incentives and disincentives resulting from the tax and benefit systems -flexible working time (working time bank)

4. -Finnish National Reform plan was largely prepared on the basis of the programme of the Government and the results from the Finland in the Global Economy - project which was conducted at the initiative of Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen in 2004. -A central part of the project were over 20 sectoral dialogues conducted between employers’ and employees’ organisations.

5. - Education policies should be examined as an entity covering all forms and levels of education, quantity should not take precedence over quality in education. -Public spending on R&D should be increased so that overall spending in the economy up tp 4 % of GDP. Additional spending should be allocated on the basis of scientific and economic criteria -Direct tax burden on wages at EU-15 average at all income levels, highest marginal tax rate at 50 % - Improving local government efficiency through better work organisation and management. Workers should be included in the process. -Collective bargaining at local level important. We are ready to develop it provided that the pre-requisites for local negotiations are available (mutual recognition of the parties, rights of the workers’ representative for professional- and managerial staff) -Quality of working life is viewed as a way to prolong working life, enhance innovation and growth

6. -Cut of contributions for low wage earners (over 55 years) - tax reductions for household work -Flexicurity  new Finnish model  higher unempoyment benefits for workers who are dismissed ( able to seek new job during working time)