The Finnish labor legislation – an introduction part 10
The Renewed Act on Equality between
Women and Men and the Non-Discrimination
Act The const itution of Finland, section 6, st ates that
“Everyone is equal before the law.
No one shall, without an acceptable reason,
be treated differently from other persons on the
grounds of sex, age, origin, language, religion,
conviction, opinion, health, disability or other
reason that concerns his or her person. Children
shall be treated equally and as individuals and
they shall be allowed to influence matters pertaining
to themselves to a degree corresponding
to their level of development. Equality of the
sexes is promoted in societal activity and working
life, especially in the determination of salary
and the other terms of employment, as provided
in more detail by the Act.” So the right to equality
in Finland is of an elementary nature. Equality
is defined as two different categories in the
constitution: equality between women and men
and equality between different groups, such as
those related to health, age, nationality etc. Also
the Employment Contracts Act contains several
non-discrimination clauses.
Since the beginning of this year (2015) both
the Act on Equality between Women and Men and
the Non-Discrimination Act underwent some
modifications. In both cases, a certain amount of
preventive measures against discrimination were
added to the requirements of the laws.
The Act on Equality between Women and
Men now also contains sections about sexual
minorities and sexual identity and also the definition
of sexual harassment. The new law now
has regulations about a mandatory equal salary
evaluation at the work place, which has to
be performed every two years. This is to ensure
equal salary for same or very similar work between
women and men. The
demands of the equality plan
and planning were redefined.
They now reach also elementary-
and high schools. Work
places that employ at least
30 employees are required to
make a mandatory equalityplan
every other year.
In the Non-Discrimination
Act, the definition of discrimination was renewed.
As already stated, work places that employ
at least 30 employees are required to make
a mandatory equality-plan every other year. The
employees must always be involved in making
the equality-plans at the work place. The employer
must make reasonable modifications at
the work place so that also disabled employees
may work at the work place safely. For example,
ramps for wheelchairs may be installed. Discriminating
work advertisements are not allowed and
may lead to compensation for the discriminated
job applicant.
Also a new National Discrimination and
Equality Tribunal was set up after the termination
of the old National Discrimination Tribunal
of Finland.
If you feel discriminated at your work place,
do not hesitate to contact your local shop-stewards
or the Union.
For further information, please visit:
text Mia Weckman
lawyer, the Finnish union of university researchers and teachers
- Painetussa lehdessä sivu 42
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