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ISSN 1458-4433

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FinnWatch monitors operations of Finnish enterprises abroad

Helsinki (04.11.2002 - Juhani Artto) At the end of 2001 almost 4,000 enterprises based in Finland had factories, offices and/or other representation abroad. These enterprises had a total of 749 subsidiaries in foreign countries. How well do they respect core labour standards and other ethical principles overseas?

The information needed to answer this question is not immediately to hand in all respects. This was the starting point for SAK, the largest trade union confederation in Finland, and several other organisations when recently establishing FinnWatch to monitor the foreign units of Finnish enterprises.

"The purpose of FinnWatch is not to defame enterprises, but to make them more conscious of the consequences of their operations," explains Turo Bergman, international affairs secretary of SAK, who continues: "and if problems exist, then FinnWatch will encourage these enterprises to improve their activities."

The FinnWatch project became public last month when its first employee was appointed. The work is financed by SAK and the other organisations represented in the project steering group, and by the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

FinnWatch will work closely with the Swedish SwedWatch and the Norwegian NorWatch, both of which have already been working effectively for some time.


Openly defying ILO recommendations: Amer Group continues marketing sporting goods in Burma

Helsinki (04.11.2002 - Juhani Artto) At the end of October the ICFTU publicised an updated list of foreign enterprises trading in Burma. This list seeks to pressure enterprises to discontinue investment and business relations in Burma, as recommended by the International Labour Organisation – ILO.

The list includes one enterprise based in Finland: Amer Group. Amer is on the list because this company has continued marketing sporting goods in Burma. Just before the updated list was published a representative of the company confirmed that despite the ILO recommendation it still prefers to retain a sales representative of its Wilson brand goods in Burma. The argument offered was that the enterprise seeks to offer sporting goods to all people, regardless of homeland, religion or political opinion.

For further details of these Amer Group operations see the Amer Sports website.


 
Other sites on economy and working life:

viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Guide for Foreigners Working in Finland by SAK, STTK and Akava
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Finnish wages are lousy, Helsingin Sanomat 04.06.2002
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Everything at stake - safeguarding interests in a world without frontiers
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Statistics Finland
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Occupational safety and health in Finland, Socius 2-2001 (pdf-file)
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Documents of the SAK 16th Congress 28-30.5.2001
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Ten years of working conditions in the European Union, Eurofound's research summary (pdf-file)
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) In terms of real property, one Finland equals two Nokias, Helsingin Sanomat 08.01.2001
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) The growth of the Finnish economy did not eradicate unemployment, Helsingin Sanomat 03.01.2001
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Only one Finn in nine actually retire as late as 65, Helsingin Sanomat 02.01.2001
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Incomes policy agreement approved; The incomes policy agreement in a nutshell;The economic backgrounf of the incomes policy agreement  SAK 15.12.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Collective bargaining in Finland 1999-2000, Pekka Sauramo, Labour Institute for Economic Research, Helsinki (pdf-file)
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Working environment greater cause of absenteeism than lifestyle Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 05.12.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) New job creation down 50 % this year Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 01.12.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Made in Hong Finland Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 28.11.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Bars and restaurants among Finland's most hazardous work places Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 27.11.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Finland faces labour shortage in all sectors in 2005 Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 23.11.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) New two-year incomes agreement announced Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 17.11.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Increased disparities in wealth distribution Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 09.11.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Floating shopping centers might become a thing of the past Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 24.10.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) SAK member unions vote to go with two-year wage deal Helsingin Sanomat International Edition 03.10.2000
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) National Economy
and State Finances

Ministry of Finance
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Occupational Safety and Health Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Dispute highlights threats to Finnish seafarers' jobs eironline
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Strikes break out as bargaining round nears conclusion eironline
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) "Barometer" examines industrial relations in Baltic states eironline
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Strike levels fall in 1999 eironline
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Action programme launched to promote "ability to cope" at work eironline
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) SAK computer campaign proves successful eironline
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) European working time conference held in Helsinki
eironline

More on
and in Finland:

viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Etusivu - The Finnish Link Resource
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Helsinki Camera - Views over the city
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Virtual Finland - Information about Finland - Facts about Finland
provided by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs

viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Finland - World Fact Book entry - tons of links!
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Statistics Finland
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Helsingin Sanomat - International Edition - News from Finland
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Need a reliable lawyer - The Finnish Bar Association can help
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Moving to Finland? - Directorate of Immigration
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) Ministry of Labour Migration affairs page
viiva.jpg (1278 bytes) National Equal Opportunities Network - Fighting discrimination