Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2000, published 89th ILC session (2001)

The Committee notes the Government’s report, as well as the comments attached to the report of the Chemical Workers’ Union, a member of the Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK), and the Confederation of Unions for Academic Professionals in Finland (AKAVA).

1.  With respect to the employment of women, AKAVA indicates that highly trained young women are primarily employed in fixed-term employment relationships. AKAVA points out that 74 per cent of all male members of AKAVA under 30 have permanent full-time jobs, compared to 36 per cent of female AKAVA members under 30. Of all women below 30 with full-time jobs, 53 per cent are employed on a fixed-term basis. AKAVA indicates that this situation suggests that employers are less inclined to hire young women of childbearing age than young men of the same age.

2.  The Committee notes the Government’s indication that women’s achievement of equal levels of education has not been sufficient to guarantee them equal pay or equal careers in comparison with men. The Government states that gender inequalities persist, primarily with regard to employment opportunities, the nature of employment relationships, and pay. The Committee also notes from the Government’s report on the application of the Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention, 1981 (No. 156), that gender-based occupational segregation is more pronounced in Finland than in many other countries in the European Union and that, during 1999, the labour administration will be working on a plan to achieve greater gender desegregation in the Finnish labour market. The report states that the TE (employment and economic development) Centres’ Labour Market Departments are formulating a plan for integrating the desegregation policy into the daily work of employment offices and the services they offer, particularly with regard to training. The Committee also notes that the strategic project, "An equal labour market (2000-2003)", will be launched within the framework of Finland’s National Action Plan for Employment and that a project to increase the number of girls and women studying mathematics, physics, chemistry and other technical disciplines has been initiated. It notes the campaign "Information Women", launched in 1999, to increase the proportion of women in the information industry. The Committee notes these measures undertaken by the Finnish Government to address the issues mentioned and promote equal access in employment and occupation. It hopes that the Government will continue to provide information on such measures in future reports, including information regarding the results achieved in this regard.

3.  The Chemical Workers’ Union states that it is difficult for employees to initiate complaints under the Act on equality between women and men (the Equality Act) due to fears of retaliation. The Committee requests the Government to supply information regarding the number of cases brought before the Equality Ombudsman, the types of cases presented, and the outcomes. Please also indicate any measures taken to protect - from retaliation - persons bringing or involved in equality complaints.