Observation (CEACR) - adoptée 2001, publiée 90ème session CIT (2002)

The Committee notes the Government’s report and the information supplied in reply to its previous comments. It also notes the observations made by the SAK (Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions) and incorporated by the Government into its report. According to the SAK, the resources and staff numbers of the inspection services responsible for safety at work have decreased over the past ten years while their functions have expanded and the problems inherent in the world of work have multiplied. The SAK draws attention to the fact that the duties of the inspection services have expanded in particular because of the adoption of new legislation such as the Data Protection Act and the Occupational Health Care Act, as well as due to the new challenges and hazards linked with changes in the world of work such as the increase in the number of enterprises, drug abuse and violence. The SAK therefore considers that the resources of the inspection service are no longer adequate in industry and the service sectors either in regard to supervision of safety at work or in regard to checking of contractual employment terms and conditions. Stressing the rarity of inspections in these two fields, the SAK demands, first, an increase in the financial and human resources of the inspection services responsible for safety at work and, secondly, a greater number and better quality of inspections, while advocating that mental well-being at work and violence-related problems should be taken more into account.

The SAK considers that monitoring the terms and conditions of foreigners’ employment contracts is a particular challenge and that the supervisory powers of inspection officials should be enhanced in this respect. According to the SAK, finance for development and organization of such supervision should be an integral part of the operating costs of the administration responsible for health and safety at work.

The Committee would be grateful if the Government would give its views on each of the points raised by the SAK and communicate information on any measures taken in relation to the proposals made.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that regional distribution of the resources of inspection services responsible for safety and health at work is under review and it is planned to transfer officials based in the east and north of the country to regions in the south when vacancies occur. It also notes that under a global agreement for 2001-02 on income policy, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has established a tripartite working group for the development of resources of the inspection services responsible for occupational health and safety. The Government is requested to communicate information on the conclusions of the working group which should complete its work in November 2001, and also of any measure taken as a result.