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The Committee notes the Government’s report as well as the comments formulated by the Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) and the Finnish Confederation of Salaried Employees (STTK) on the application of the Convention. The Committee further notes the entry into force of the Employment Contracts Act (No. 55/2001). According to the STTK, this legislation gives only to elected representatives (and not to shop stewards) rights to information, release from work obligations and compensation for lost earnings; these rights are accorded to shop stewards only when defined in sectoral collective agreements.

The Committee requests the Government to ensure that shop stewards from the trade unions have the same rights as elected representatives and to keep it informed of any measures taken in this respect. Moreover, the Committee requests the Government to indicate whether trade union representatives can present their candidacy for election as workers’ representatives at the enterprise level.