Ministerial Working Group on Promoting Employment continues to plan employment measures

Ministerial Working Group on Promoting Employment had its second meeting on 20 August 2019. The ministers discussed the employment measures included in the budget proposal for 2020, and measures to replace the activation model.

The Ministerial Working Group discussed the current situation with the budget preparations with regard to employment measures. The draft budget of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment proposes an appropriation of EUR 297 million for public employment and business services, including a EUR 17 million increase in pay subsidy.

“The Government has a clear target: to raise the employment rate. In practice, this means that more people will find jobs, and that employers’ need for labour force will be met. We need investments in measures and services that promote employment,” says Minister of Employment Timo Harakka.

The ministerial working group also initiated talks concerning measures to replace the activation model.

A steering committee was appointed to support the ministerial working group’s efforts through joint action across the administrative branches. Members of the steering committee are State Secretary Raimo Luoma (chair), State Secretary Pilvi Torsti (vice-chair), State Secretary Jari Partanen (vice-chair) and permanent state secretaries Jari Gustafsson from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, Martti Hetemäki from the Ministry of Finance, Anita Lehikoinen from the Ministry of Education and Culture, and Päivi Sillanaukee from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Kimmo Ruth, Labour Market Counsellor; Jan Hjelt, Senior Ministerial Adviser; and Johanna Alatalo, Ministerial Adviser, from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, and a person to be appointed by the Ministry of Finance, will serve as secretaries to the Steering Committee. 

In September, the ministerial working group will review the work programmes of the task forces operating under its management, and possibly their first proposals.

The Ministerial Working Group on Promoting Employment is tasked with guiding and directing the implementation of the Government Programme in the following areas: employment promotion, labour market issues and employment legislation. The working group is chaired by Minister of Employment Timo Harakka.

Inquiries:
Kimmo Ruth, Labour Market Counsellor, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +258 295 048 073
Mikko Koivumaa, Director of Communications, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. + 358 50 345 3555