Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1998, published 87th ILC session (1999)

Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) - Finland (Ratification: 1950)

The Committee notes the information provided in the Government's report, including the summary of the comments made by the Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK), the Confederation of Unions for Academic Professionals in Finland (AKAVA) and the Commission for Local Authority Employers (KT).

The Committee notes that while under the new joint agreement between SAK and the Confederation of Finnish Industry and Employers (TT), the right of foreigners to be elected trade union officials is no longer limited, there still remain agreements in force in specific sectors requiring trade union officials to be Finnish citizens. In this regard, the Committee again requests the Government to indicate the manner in which it is ensured that those persons who are not Finnish citizens may take up trade union office, subject to a reasonable residency requirement. The Committee also requests the Government to provide further information concerning the scope of the exclusion of "employer officials" from eligibility as trade union officials, including a copy of the relevant Decree.