Minister of Employment Arto Satonen (NCP) at a plenary session of Parliament in Helsinki on 4 April 2025. LEHTIKUVA
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Finland’s government is preparing changes to the sanction system for unemployed jobseekers, with new penalties being considered for those who fail to meet job search obligations.
Minister of Employment Arto Satonen confirmed in a Yle interview that a reform of the current sanction framework is underway. He said the aim is to target the early stages of unemployment to reduce the risk of long-term joblessness.
The proposed changes would replace the current step-by-step model of warnings and increasing suspensions with a faster penalty process. According to plans reported by Helsingin Sanomat in March, the first failure to meet obligations would trigger an immediate one-week suspension of benefits. A second violation could result in a work obligation lasting six weeks.
Currently, the first breach leads only to a warning. A second results in a one-week waiting period, and a third in two weeks. After four violations, a person loses the right to benefits until completing 12 weeks of work or equivalent activity.
Satonen stated that details of the reform are still under preparation, and no final proposal has yet been presented.
“The basic idea is that work must be actively sought. If the obligations are fulfilled, there will be no sanctions,” Satonen said on Yle’s breakfast programme. “This is not about cutting benefits, but about applying consequences when agreed rules are not followed. It is the same principle as traffic fines.”
The reform is part of the government’s wider labour market policy agenda, which seeks to increase employment and reduce dependency on social benefits. The measures come amid broader efforts to tighten social security requirements and restructure public employment services.
Under the proposed system, if a person repeatedly fails to follow instructions—such as applying for assigned positions, attending scheduled interviews or submitting job applications—the response would be quicker and more severe.
A second breach would not just lead to further suspension but require the individual to meet a formal work obligation before eligibility for benefits is restored. That could mean temporary employment, participation in state-provided services, or job training.
Satonen emphasised that the system aims to be preventive rather than punitive, encouraging jobseekers to remain engaged in active job search from the beginning of their unemployment period.
No timeline has been announced for when a detailed proposal will be submitted to Parliament.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
