The globalisation of the economy in general, the restructuring of the labour market, new forms of work, changes in the reasons for joining a union and changes within the trade union movement, all call for a continuous reassessment of the role of the trade union movement itself.

The key ratios of the Finnish economy have developed favourably. The stability of the Finnish national economy has been increased by Finland’s decision to join the EMU. Finland is at present in a good position to compete in the international market, inflation is low, interest rates have remained stable and the unemployment rate is falling. The labour market policy adopted in Finland - the Finnish model - upon which SAK, among others, has had a major influence - has been a core factor in the improvement of the employment rate. However, the uncertainty of the global economy and its development, coupled with the latest forecast of domestic industrial trends indicate that economic growth is likely to be on a downward curve.

The political atmosphere, in the spring, will be charged by the Finnish general election, which is to be held in March. This will involve a public debate on the direction in which Finnish society and the labour market is to be developed. It is important that within the next elected Parliament and resultant Government there is a group which will defend the interests of all employees and their families. It is also important that there will be a continuation of the present good level of co-operation between the employees’ and employers’ organisations.

The election for the European Parliament will be held in Finland on 13th June 1999. The trade union movement naturally hopes that this will result in the election of a number of euro-parliamentarians with expertise in labour market issues.

In 1999, the EU membership of Finland will lead to Finland taking the driving seat in respect of several tasks and objectives with common denominators. The 9th ETUC Congress will be held in Helsinki. In addition to a variety of preparatory work linked to the practicalities of arranging the Congress, special attention will be given to the preparation of any decisions to be delivered by the Congress, in order to ensure that these reflect the interests and views of both the international and the Finnish trade union movements. During the Congress, it will be necessary for the European trade union movement to give voice to its opinion on European level collective agreements made in the various EU member states and on the rights to industrial action on a European level. The Finnish trade union movement has instigated a limited research project on cross-border collective agreements on a European level. The pros and cons of such agreements will be studied, a report on the research results being completed by the end of the year.

During the latter half of 1999, the Finnish EU presidency will give SAK numerous special tasks and obligations to raise issues which concern employees and the labour market. During the time of the presidency in particular, but also throughout the year, SAK will lobby the Finnish Government, and jointly with the ETUC the European Union, on the issue of setting proper operation of the labour market system in an applicant country as a core requirement for the enlargement of the EU towards the East. Once a properly operating labour market, along with a strong and organised trade union movement, has been established in the applicant countries, they will be better equipped for the challenges presented by the market economy.

‘Organisation 2000’ is a project that will be commenced by SAK during the year 1999. Promoting and securing the rate of organisation, and the clarification of structures which hinder organisation, are the main objectives of this project. A high rate of organisation has given strength to the trade unions in Finland in their representation of their members interests and in their influence on the development of social policies.

The development of equality at the workplace is another major project which will require effort and resources. The characteristics of an equal opportunities workplace, and the quality criteria involved, will be studied within this project. This subject has not hitherto been examined. It was agreed in the incomes policy agreement of 1997, on SAK’s initiative and amongst the employees’ and employers’ central organisations, that research would be carried out on the impact that was made, by increasing equal opportunities, on the atmosphere in the workplace, on general work satisfaction, and on productivity. The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health will undertake the running of this project, but work at the monitoring group will require special vigilance.

Preparations for a new round of collective negotiations will be an important issue in the autumn of next year. The current Finnish incomes policy agreement, covering a period of slightly more than two years, will expire on the 15th of January, 2000.

I thank you warmly for the feed-back that we have received on our department’s newsletter. The appearance and the lay-out of the newsletter has now been revised, and we hope that the new format will lead to increased debate and make the newsletter more interactive than previously. We are at your service.

For the season’s greetings from the International Department of SAK we have once again chosen the text ‘SAK against Child Labour’. With this slogan we wish to indicate that we are still continuing our campaign against the use of child labour.

Last but not least, I would personally like to wish all our friends and readers a peaceful 1999!