FINNISH trade unions began a series of strikes today in opposition to proposals from Finland’s right-wing government to trash workers’ rights and impose cuts to welfare benefits.

The Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) said that today’s strike was the first in a series of “walkouts, protests and demonstrations” to oppose government proposals.

The walkouts lasted an hour and involved workers in the regions of North Ostrobothnia, Kainuu and Lapland.

On Wednesday, members of the Service Union United (PAM) as well as the Finnish Construction Trade Union are set to organise demonstrations in the market squares of the cities of Turku and Pori.

The four-party coalition government led by Petteri Orpo, which came to power on June 20 after winning the April elections, has proposed major changes to the country’s labour market.

The government says that it wants to protect the welfare state but future generations should not be burdened with Finland’s debt. 

It claims to want to remove “incentive traps” where workers allegedly have no reason to go to work because the social safety net provides an equivalent income. 

Unions have criticised the government proposals as an attack on the right to industrial action, national negotiations and the entire trade union movement.  

Trade unions believe that the attack will lead to an erosion of rights and wages. 

Industrial Union President Riku Aalto said: “The government plans to cut unemployment benefits and reduce worker participation rights will especially affect employees in sectors that are sensitive to the business cycle. 

“While workplaces currently have two months to prepare for temporary layoffs, these plans would break off wage payment in just one week.” 

Mr Aalto said: “Coupled with the abolition of child supplements, this will impose massive pressure on working families in particular.”

PAM president Annika Ronni-Sallinen said: “There are more part-time workers than ever. For example, half of all vacancies for sales and waiting staff are part-time. 

“These employees already cannot make ends meet, and have to rely on adjusted unemployment benefits and housing allowance.

“The government is now cutting these income sources and urging employees to seek full-time work that is simply not available, while using the savings to cut taxes for those on the highest incomes. 

“There is no way to accept such a shameful policy.”