Airports will Shut Down for Two Days in Finland Due to a Large-scale Labour Union Strike
From February 1, all airports in Finland will be closed for two days due to a massive labour strike organized by unions opposing the government's plans to reform the labour market, as reported by Bloomberg.
National airline Finnair has already announced that the strike will affect 60,000 passengers and has offered customers the option to modify their ticket reservations.
The strike will not only impact the aviation sector but will also affect various industries, from transportation to construction. The protest stems from the dissatisfaction of unions with the Finnish government's attempts to increase flexibility in employment agreements and reduce unemployment benefits.
The government states its aim to create 100,000 new jobs and address the deterioration of state finances. However, unions argue that the proposed reforms significantly weaken social security and the fundamental rights of workers, demanding that the government abandon these plans.
In addition to the closure of airports and other establishments, unions plan to organize a demonstration in the centre of Helsinki, with members being transported from across the country.
It's worth noting that in December 2023, unions already conducted a one-day strike in protest against government initiatives, resulting in significant disruptions to public transportation, shutdowns of power stations, and a halt to exports at ports. The total losses from that strike were estimated at 130 million euros. Prior to this, in the fall of 2023, Finland experienced a series of shorter strikes.
As a reminder, The Gaze previously reported that the Finnish government plans to prohibit Russian citizens from engaging in real estate transactions in the country. Defence Minister Antti Hakkane stated that they are actively working on "legal solutions" for a complete ban on real estate operations for Russians. The minister emphasized that Finland plans to strengthen licensing conditions for real estate transactions for individuals and legal entities outside the European Union or the European Economic Area. The relevant decisions are expected in the spring, according to the minister, and will include enhanced control over real estate leasing and a thorough analysis of past real estate sales agreements.