FINLAND’S trade unions started a two-week political strike on Monday in opposition to labour market reforms and social security cuts being forced through by the government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.

The strike is set to halt cargo transport at ports, disrupt freight rail services and complicate the operations of process industries and is set run through to March 24.

The Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) says that 7,000 workers will be on strike, which will have an impact on raw materials, intermediary products and end products which are transported by rail. 

Fuel shortages at airports and service stations are also possible, says Finland’s Industrial Union. 

Turja Lehtonen, deputy chairperson of the Industrial Union, said: “It’s clear that fuel will run out at some point during the strikes. It’ll have an impact on consumers.” 

Members of the Industrial Union will also go on strike at the giant steel company Outokumpu and SSAB, a steel company in Raahe, as well as at the silicon wafer factory of Okmetic in Vantaa. 

The white-collar union Pro, is also planning a separate one-day strike at ABB, Keitele and Kone on March 15.

Minister of Finance Riikka Purra accused the trade unions of deliberately deepening the economic recession in Finland.