CMNT_TITLE

The Committee notes with interest the Government's first two reports on the application of the Convention as well as the comments by the Confederation of Unions for Academic Professionals in Finland (AKAVA), the Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) and the Finnish Confederation of Salaried Employees (STTK). In order to appreciate better the effect given to the Convention, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply in its next report supplementary information in reply to all these observations, including the following points.

Article 5 of the Convention. The Committee notes that section 13 of the 1979 Study Leave Decree (as amended) provides for exceptions to the provisions of sections 4-10 by collective agreements. Please indicate whether such derogations have been agreed and what will be their effect. Please send relevant extracts from the collective agreements.

Articles 2 and 3. 1. The Committee notes that leave for union training is granted under collective agreements. Please indicate whether this leave is granted to any worker to encourage recourse to study leave for the purpose of contributing to the competent and active participation of workers and their representatives in the life of the undertaking and of the community in accordance with Article 3(b) of the Convention.

2. The Committee notes that AKAVA and SAK consider the financial aid paid to the worker during study leave insufficient. It requests the Government to give its opinion on this matter (see also Article 7).

Article 4. 1. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate in what way the policy for promoting paid study leave is coordinated with employment policy.

2. The Committee notes that the job alternation leave introduced experimentally in December 1995 is not linked compulsorily to educational purposes. The STTK considers that the beneficiaries of this leave are not adequately paid. Please indicate whether measures have been taken or are contemplated to encourage recourse to job alternation leave for educational purposes.

Article 6. Please indicate how employers' and workers' organizations and education and training bodies are involved in implementing the paid study leave promotion policy.

Article 7. The Committee notes that the STTK considers that the coordination between the various forms of financial aid is problematic. Please indicate any new measures taken in order to ensure regular and adequate financing of arrangements relating to paid study leave.

Article 9. Please indicate the measures taken in application of section 2(3) of the 1979 Act in relation to study leave for farmers and other self-employed workers and how they are implemented. Please indicate any other special measure that has been taken in regard to particular categories of undertakings or workers.

Part V of the report form. Please provide any pertinent extracts from reports, studies, surveys or statistics allowing practical application of the Convention to be assessed.

[The Government is asked to report in detail in 1998.]