The Finnish government has embarked on a campaign to curb the rise in public debt, imposing saving targets also on its ministries. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment is expected to reduce its annual staff and consumption expenditure by 3.3 million euros by 2025 and 4.7 million euros by 2026.

Tarja Reivonen-Kavonius, the chief shop steward at the ministry for the Negotiating Organisation for Public Sector Professionals (Juko), told Helsingin Sanomat on Wednesday that the consultative negotiations are the largest since the establishment of the ministry in 2008.

“The mood is confused. Uncertainty is top of mind for many employees,” she said.

With the negotiations having only been launched, there is no information on how the cuts will be targeted.

Reivonen-Kavonius said ministry employees are currently working on many projects initiated under the government programme, such as the development programmes for Eastern and Northern Finland. The imminent personnel cuts, she added, will “probably” slow down the preparatory work.

“We’re expecting the employer to then prioritise the work and understand that the scheduled may have to stretch.”

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment stated in an earlier press release that it will take a proactive approach to the cost cuts.

“The adjustment measures have to be front-loaded, responsible and effective to make sure they stabilise the ministry’s operating costs for the coming years,” outlined Timo Jaatinen, the permanent secretary at the ministry.

Aleksi Teivainen – HT